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No. 50. 



U. S. Hydrographic Office—Bureau of Navigation. 

-- 


. THE AZORES OR WESTERN ISLANDS. 


TRANSLATED FROJl THE FRENCH OF 


CAPT. 0. P. DE KERHALLET, 

\\ 

OF THE FRENCH NAVY. 


WITH 


ARDITIONS TO THE PRESENT DATE, 


aEOROE M. TOTTEN, 

LIEUTENANT U. S. NAVY. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1874. 









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T.HE AZORES. 


The Azores or Western islands are a group lying between 
300 50' and 39^ 45' N. latitude, and 27° and 33^ 40' W. 
longitude. 

This group, belonging to Portugal, is composed of nine 
islands, viz: Corvo and Flores to the NW.; Graciosa, 

Fayal, San Jorge, Pico, and Terceira in the center; and 
San Miguel and Santa Maria to SE.j besides an islet and 
bank called Formigas, a short distance to NE. of Santa 
Maria. 

It does not appear that the ancients had any knowledge History, 
of any group in this sea except the Canaries, to which they 
finally applied the celebrated appellation of the Fortunate 
islands; but two Arabian geographers describe, after the 
Canaries, nine other islands in the Western ocean, probably 
the Azores; for their number is nine, and, besides, a species 
of hawk is specially noticed by these writers as existing there 
in great abundance, a circumstance that afterward ap¬ 
peared so remarkable to the Portuguese that they named 
them the Azores or Hawk islands. 

The first European discovery of this group is claimed by 
the Flemings, a merchant named Van der Berg having been 
driven on these shores in 1439. In 1459 the islands were 
planted and colonized, and in so fertile a soil the inhabit¬ 
ants rapidly multiplied. In 1580 they fell with other Portu¬ 
guese possessions under the dominion of Spain, and return¬ 
ing afterward to their former owners, within a recent period 
attracted some attention as the theater of contest between 
the parties contending for the tlirone of Portugal, Queen 
Maria’s authority being eventually established throughout. 

The aspect of all the islands is very similar in general physical 
characteristics, presenting an elevated and undulating out- 
line with little or no table-land, and rising into peaks from 
1,889 to 7,013 feet above the level of the sea. Their lines 
of sea-coast are, with few exceptions, high and precipitous, 



10 


THE AZORES. 


Winds. 


t 


recent search has failed to discover any change in the char¬ 
acter or shape of the bottom. 

Earthquakes are of frequent occurrence, and often are 
l)roductive of disastrous results to the various towns of the 
island. 

The prevailing winds of summer are from NE. to E., and 
the wind is never steady long, unless it rises gradually and 
sets in well to the eastward at first. The prevailing winds 
of winter are from !NW., W., and SW., generally fresh, 
and the latter accompanied by heavy rains. Occasional S. 
and SE. winds bring violent squalls, as do those from N 
W. Gales usually blow between SW. and NW., or from 
NE. or SE., the latter with a generally clear sky. 

As with all high lands, the winds near the islands are 
very variable, the prevailing wind being divided into cur¬ 
rents that reunite far to leeward, leaving calm belts and 
variable breezes that often seriously interfere with naviga¬ 
tion near the shores. 

No lasting fine weather should be expected in this archi¬ 
pelago except between May, or even the summer solstice, 
and the autumnal equinox. In this period there are often 
long calms, broken by quickly shifting breezes. 

About Oorvo and Flores the weather is very changeable 
at all seasons of the year, and even in summer fresh NW, 
and SW. winds are experienced, with storms and rain. 

In winter, besides heavy gales and a rough sea, rains and 
thick fogs often occur throughout the archipelago. 

It is an important fact to remember that SW. gales 
usually haul to the W. and then to NW., where, as a rule, 
they moderate. So that vessels obliged to leave an unpro¬ 
tected anchorage on account of these storms should go 
northward rather than southward during the continuance 
of bad weather j then when the wind hauls to NW., or N., 
they can regain their port without difficulty. 

From a series of observations, taken at the 5 chief islands 
of the group, the storms appear to be of a rotatory char¬ 
acter, (interfered with, however, by the great altitude of 
Pico,) but not a regular course of progression. Some tend 
to the SE., others to the NE.; none appear to pass to 
the westward or to range from due E. more than between 
NNE. and SSE. Storms are not frequent, nor are they 


4 


WINDS—TIDES—NAVIOATION. 


11 


generally of long duration, but they are heavy while they 
last. 

The waters of the Gulf stream almost reach Oorvo and Tides and cur- 
Flores, and sometimes do extend to the eastward of them. 

The general direction of the stream is SE., but along these 
islands and in the channel separating them from Fayal and 
the central group, currents setting to NE. and NW. are 
not uncommon. 

At a certain distance N. of the archipelago the general 
currents are from S. to SE. from SW., and more rarely 
from SSW., and in the group near Terceira and Graciosa 
occasionally from WNW. In August and September, 

1847, Captain Nouvel, of the French ship Oard, encountered 
strong currents setting N. north of the Azores, between 
420 and 44° N. latitude, and 28o and 33o W. longitude; and 
here also he met a strong E. wind, which blew with extra¬ 
ordinary tenacity for 25 days. 

It is, therefore, so difficult to determine accurately the 
currents near these islands, that it may be said they are as 
variable as the winds. Lying between the Gulf stream on 
the W. and the northerly African current on the E., there 
are eddy currents and others, affected by the tidal current, 
whose velocity rarely exceeds f to f of a mile an hour. 

The time of high water is from 12h. 15m. to 12h. 30m., 
and the rise is 5J to feet. 

Navigation in this group is, as a rule, clear of dangers Navigation, 
and free from any great difficulty, except from the constant 
changeableness of weather and the irregularity of the cur¬ 
rents. There are a few under-water rocks, but most of the 
dangers are visible and easily avoided, and the coasts are 
clean and safe. Sudden squalls and storms are not unfre¬ 
quent. 

Vessels from the South Atlantic for Europe often touch 
at the Azores to verify their position and take a new point 
of departure, but, unless in need of provisions, it is uuwnse 
to do so. It is better to keep well to the westward, where 
the winds from W. and NW. are more regular than near 
the islands. But in coming from Senegal in the months of 
June, July, and August, a vessel may pass to eastward of 
the Azores and make a good passage. 

Vessels forced to put in at these islands with the proba¬ 
bility of remaining for any length of time, will find Horta 


12 


OORVO. 


Population. 


Aspect. 


K 0 s a r i o 
cliorage. 


Directions. 


iu Fayal, the best port, as it is the safest and the best 
provided with marine stores, &c. Provisions are abundant, 
and there is a coal-depot in the town. 

The x)opulation of the entire archipelago is estimated at 
about 180,000. 

COEVO. 

Corvo, the northernmost and smallest island of the arch¬ 
ipelago, has a tolerably regular outline, the eastern coast 
being almost a semicircle, and the western forming a pro¬ 
jecting angle terminating in Oeste point. 

The Oaldeira consist of a group of mountains highest to 
the S., whose summits are united, inclosing a space § of a 
mile in diameter at the upper and ^ of a mile at the lower 
part. The bottom of this pit or crater is a jdain, dotted 
here and there with hillocks, and with 4 lakes, 2 being of 
considerable size. The level of these lakes is 1,277 feet 
above the sea; the height of the mountains on the N. from 
1,434 to 2,199, and on the S. from 2,460 to 2,548 feet. 

Seen from NW. or SE. the northern mountains are well 
detached, but from other directions they often appear as one j 
from these points they appear like a saddle. The middle of 
the Oaldeira is E. 58° W. from the peak of Fayal, distant 133 
miles. 

Point Pesqueiro, the S. point of the island, is a low, rocky 
point, fronted by rocks extending out about 325 yards. 
Eocks front the coast thence at the same distance to the S 
E. point, (also low and rocky,) and as far as the southern 
part of the town of Eosario. Between the two points is a 
brook, where there is a good landing, 
i. Just N. of the SE. point of Corvo is Eosario, the only 
passable anchorage of the island. The town of the same 
name is on the low, rocky shore, just S. of a little water¬ 
course. Farther N. the coast rises and is formed of abrupt 
cliffs, generally clean and safe. 

Two dangerous shoals lie off the SE. point; one is 505 
yards S. of the point, with 4J fathoms water on it, and the 
other 503 yards S. 78° E. of the point and S. 43® E. from 
Eosario church, in 3 fathoms. There are 12 fathoms water 
between the two and deep water all around. 

A vessel from NE. or E., in making Eosario anchorage, 
should keep on the parallel of the village church, and let go 


COAST—MOIRA SHOAL—SUGARLOAF ANCHORAGE. 


13 


in 15J fathoms at a little more than J a mile, or in 9 fath¬ 
oms ^ of a mile from the shore, sandy bottom. The width 
of the bank of soundings abreast the town is miles. At 
this distance there is a depth of 56 fathoms, increasing rap¬ 
idly to 207 fathoms a little farther out. Inside of the first- 
named sounding the depths decrease regularly toward 
shore. 

In making this anchorage from the SW. an ofifing of at 
least § of a mile should be kept, on account of the shoals, 
until the SE. point is rounded and the vessel is on the par¬ 
allel of the church. The road is only sheltered from north¬ 
westerly winds. 

From Rosario anchorage the E. coast is formed of high coast, 
bluff cliffs, with some rocks close along the base. Point 
Casa is high and surmounted by a little conical hill, and off 
the point are two rocks, always above water. One is abreast 
the point and not more than 325 yards distant, and the 
other lies the same distance off shore, a little to the north¬ 
ward. 

From Casa to Moira or Nordeste point the coast describes 
a regular arc, convex to ilE. It is of high cliffs, with a 
few rocks along the base. 

About i of a mile N. of Nordeste point is a dangerous Moira shoai. 
submarine rock, where the sea breaks in heavy weather or 
with a fresh wind; but in fine weather nothing marks it, 
although it is nearly awash. To avoid it an offing of 1 
mile should be kept. 

From ilordeste to Torrais, the NW. point of the island, coast, 
the shores are high, falling in steep slopes to the sea. Be¬ 
tween Norte and Torrais points are several rocks and islets, 
and some 200 yards NW. of Torrais is a shoal. 

To the southward of this point the shore is low, but the 
land rises rapidly in rear. The coast here runs almost in a 
right line to Blanca or Oeste point, the westernmost point 
of the island. Point Oeste is still higher than Torrais, and 
the southern part of it is formed of perpendicular cliffs. 

Between the two the coast is clean and safe. 

Farther S. rocks lie along the coast at a distance, some- sugarioaf an- 

cnorage. 

times, of about 325 yards. One of them, 148 feet high, is 
named the Sugarioaf. It is in the northern part of a bight 
or shallow bay in the southern part of the island, where an¬ 
chorage may be taken in 15 to 17 fathoms water, sand, with 


14 


FLORES. 


Soundings. 


Channel. 


Aspect. 


Resources. 


the Sugarloaf bearing E. distant about l of a mile, or farther 
out in 24 or 25 fathoms. The roadstead is protected from 
uinds from N. to SE., through E. In this bight there is a 
small sand beach, where landing may be made. 

The bank of soundings about Corvo is almost a circle. 
Xear point Pesqueiro it is f of a mile wide, increasing to 
miles along the E. coast, and to 1§ miles along the N. and 
W. coasts. E. of the island the bottom is of sand or 
coral, with patches of rock, and W. of it of sand or gravel 
and rocks. Care should be taken in letting go to ascertain 
first the nature of the bottom and the depth of water. Be¬ 
yond the dangers already mentioned there are none that are 
not close inshore and well defined. 

The channel between Oorvo and Flores is 9J miles wide, 
and there is a belt 3 miles wide, where no bottom has been 
found at 785 fathoms. It is perfectly clear of dangers, ap¬ 
parent or hidden, or at least none have as yet been discov¬ 
ered. 


FLOEES. 

Flores is a high, mountainous island of irregular outline. 
The central part is a plateau of no great extent, surrounded 
by high mountains, and in the plateau are two lakes. The 
highest mountain, Morro Grande, in the northern part, is 
3,087 feet high. S. of the plateau is Pico Caboco, 2,466 feet. 
In the SE. part is Lomba da Vaca, 2,160 feet; and a little 
N. of this is another mountain, 2,110 feet high. In the east¬ 
ern part of the island is the peak of Se, 2,366 feet, and Fran¬ 
cisco, 1,434 feet high. Still farther E., and nearly on the 
parallel of Santa Cruz, the capital of the island, are the 
peaks of Casino and Santa Cruz, 1,682 and 700 feet high, 
and there are several other mountains in the SW. part and 
along the S. coast. 

Flores is well populated, the inhabitants being divided be¬ 
tween two boroughs and four villages. Grain and vegetables 
are abundant; cattle plenty, but small. Pigs and sheep 
are raised, and the poultry is said to be the finest in the 
world, but the surplus produce is not of much importance. 
Some lineu-stuffs are made, and there is a kind of moss, 
named orchilla, from which a scarlet dye is produced. The 
work of gathering this moss from the rocks to which it 


POINT DELOADA—COAST—SANTA CRUZ. 


15 


cliugs is fatiguing and dangerous. Wood and water are 
abundant. 

Point Delgada, the northernmost point of the island, is 
moderately high, rounded, and surmounted by a small coni¬ 
cal hill. It is surrounded by rocks and a few islets. These 
islets, like the point, are steep-to, and near them are found 
from 8 to 20 fathoms water. 

From this point eastward to point Euiva the coast forms 
a bay, with a shore of low cliffs. At | of a mile S. of Del¬ 
gada iioint, and on the sea-shore, is the village of the same 
name, off which are several rocks, always uncovered, ex¬ 
tending to seaward. 

Beyond this village is a projecting point, and to the SE. 
of this a rocky islet, close inshore, and nearly midway be¬ 
tween the x)oints of Euiva and Delgada. About 325 yards 
ESE. of the islet is a sunken rock, where the sea gener¬ 
ally breaks. The depth of water close to it is 12 fathoms. 
The coast then forms two little bights, obstructed by rocky 
islets, which, however, do not extend more than i of a mile 
oft" shore. 

In the entire bay there are 20 fathoms at ^ mile from^ 
shore, and there are no dangers at that distance. 

Euiva, the NE. point of Flores, is high, steep, and broken. 
Several detached rocks lie at its foot, and one of them, 
E. of the point and 100 feet hi gh, is called the Sugarloaf, 
or Bottle rock. Anchorage may be taken abreast this islet, 
but W. of the point, in 22 fathoms water, sand. This an¬ 
chorage is sheltered from winds from SE. to WN W. through 
S., and it is chiefly used by vessels needing water, and forced 
by the winds to leave Santa Cruz. 

Between the two points, Euiva and Santa Cruz, the coast 
forms a shallow indentation, bordered by high lauds, except 
ill the vicinity of point Santa Cruz, where there are some 
rocks above water, the one farthest out being on the me¬ 
ridian of the point, and 306 yards from it. The coast is, 
indeed, fronted almost throughout by rocks, generally above 
' water. The largest of these is the islet of Alvaro Eodri- 
guez, in the northern part of the bight, and near the shore. 
In case of need, vessels can anchor ESE. of this islet, in 25 
fathoms water, sand. 

A little southward of Santa Cruz point is the castle, and 
then the town of the same name, the latter being the place 


Point Delgada. 


Coast. 


Point Ruiva. 


Coast. 


Santa Cruz. 


1(> 


FLORES. 


I 


Auchorage. 


Soundings. 


Coast. 


of greatest commercial importance in the island. This town 
is built on the sea-shore, on a rocky beach overlooked by 
Santa Cruz mountain, 700 feet high, which, with the peak 
of Casino, farther inland, marks the approach. 

All the coast adjoining is fronted by rocks and islets, 
through which tortuous channels lead to the landing. Over 
the rocky bed the depth ranges from 5 to 7 fathoms, but at 
a distance of J a mile from shore there is sand, or sand and 
coral bottom in 50 fathoms water, and the anchorage is 
rarely off the town, but S. of it. 

About 2 miles to southward of the town is the low, rocky 
point of Oabeiro, rising inland with a gentle slope. It is 
nearly on the parallel of the two peaks forming the Lomba da 
Yaca, which serve as a mark for it from seaward. The 
coast between this point and Santa Cruz forms a bay, with 
a shingle beach at the head, where a brook empties. In 
this bight is the best anchorage. There is no hidden danger 
in it, and anchorage may be taken in 19 fathoms water, 
sand, in line between the point and town, at about 1 mile 
from the latter. There is good anchorage in 32 fathoms on 
the meridian of the town, as well. Along the shores of the 
head of the bight are a few rocks. The anchorage is pro¬ 
tected from winds from N. to SW. through W. 

The bank of soundings off this bight extends about 2 
miles out. At its edge the lead gives 184 fathoms water, 
sand and coral. The depth thence decreases quite regu¬ 
larly toward shore. At 1^ miles there are 81 fathoms, at J a 
mile 32 fathoms, and at i of a mile 10 fathoms. 

At IJ miles southward of Cabeiro is the high, steep point 
of Lomba, surmounted by the church of Boa Vista, which 
serves as a mark for it. In the northern part of the bay, 
between, is a little sand-beach, where a rivulet empties. 
Vessels can anchor over a sandy bottom in this bay in 22 
fathoms, but it is less sheltered than the Santa Cruz anchor¬ 
age. 

From Lomba to Lagens, the SE. point of the island, the 
coast is formed of high bluffs, and between these two there 
is Capitao point, with a few rocks at its foot. 

Point Lagens is high and steep, and a bank of rocks ex¬ 
tends for 306 yards from its base to SE. The clifls here 
are much broken. The town of Lagens is a little W. of the 


LAGENS ANCHORAGE—ESCOLAR ROCK. 


17 


point, on a hill side, and its church is prominent and easily 
distinguished from seaward. 

Between the points of Oapitao and Lagens is a little l age a a an- 
bight, into the southern ^art of which a brook empties. This 
bight is well sheltered from winds from N. to WSW. 
through W., and vessels can anchor in 17 fathoms water, 
sand, with Lagens church bearing W. 10° S., and point 
Capitao N. 70^ W., or they may let go in 22 to 28 fathoms, 

1 mile from the shore. The approach is perfectly clear from 
N., E., or S., but in coming from the SW. care must be 
taken to clear Escolar rock, on which there are only 4J 
fathoms water. 

The rock or shoal of Escolar is about 325 yards in diam- Escolar rock, 
eter, and the water over it takes a whitish hue, easily seen 
in approaching it. The channel between it and the coast is 
about J a mile wide and very deep. The rock is steep-to, 
and the depth of water around it is from 30 to 50 fathoms. 

To clear Escolar rock in coming from the westward, wish¬ 
ing to pass N. of it, keep along the coast of Flores at a dis¬ 
tance of J a mile, or a little less. To pass S. of it, give the 
coast an offing of at least 2 miles until on the meridian of 
the church of Lagens, from which this rock is distant IJ 
miles. 

From Lagens point to Eocha Alta the S. coast of Flores coast, 
rises gradually, and is formed of cliffs rising in places per¬ 
pendicularly from the sea. All dangers are apparent and 
close inshore. Point Lope Yaz is the southernmost point 
of the island, though but slightly projecting. It is low 
near the sea, but is high and steep at some distance from 
the shore. To the W. of this is point Rocha Alta, high, 
brown, and of perpendicular cliffs. On its summit are three 
peaks, the middle and highest one being 2,018 feet high. 

Point Ilheos de Agua Galiente, or, as it is usually called, 

Ilheos, is low and rocky. It takes its name from the hot 
mineral springs near it. The point terminates in a ledge of 
rocks extending S. and W. for something less than J of a 
mile. 

Between the points of Eocha Alta and Ilheos this ledge 
of rocks borders the coast, nowhere extending out more 
than J of a mile. It is steep-to, and there are 5 to 11 fath¬ 
oms water at its edge. 

2 a 


18 


FLORES. 


iiheos anchor- Yessels Can anchor opposite the little bay of point 
, Iiheos in 23 fathoms water, sand, 1 mile W. by N. from the 

point. 

Laranjeira Laranjeira shoal is a rock J of a mile in diameter, in 11 
fathoms water, with depths around it of 13 to 30 fathoms. 
The channel between it and the coast, IJ miles wide, is clean 
and safe, the depth ranging from 15 to 30 fathoms, over a 
sandy bottom. The shoal itself is only dangerous in rough 
weather. 

Coast. North of Iiheos point is a slight indentation, where a 

brook falls into the sea. The northern part of this bight, 
off which is the anchorage above mentioned, is overlooked 
by the peak of Joao Martin, 1,082 feet high. About 1 mile 
farther N. is the low point of Oantarinhas, just off which 
there is a remarkable islet of the same name. The coast 
between these points is formed of cliffs which are very 
broken, and off the points of the clefts are a few rocks. 

Beyond Oantarinhas there are several little bights, ob¬ 
structed by rocks, and then comes the high, steep, whitish 
point of Bredos. One of the islets near this point is in the 
shape of a column, and a sand-beach S. of the point is a 
good mark for it. 

cantarinhas indentation of the coast N. of Oantarinhas point has 

been given the name of Oantarinhas bay. Here there is 
good anchorage, over a sandy bottom, in 22 fathoms water, 
J a mile from the shore, with Oantarinhas islet bearing S. 
by E. 1 E. 

Two rivers empty into this bay. They are the outlets of 
a lake in the interior, S. of the peak of Oaboco, and one of 
them, the Eibiera Grande, f(mms a fine cascade. 

Coast. From Bredos point the coast extends northward, with a 

slight curve to Baxio point, with a beach almost the entire 
distance. Near Bredos, a short distance in the interior and 
on the steep western slope of the peak of Oaboco, is the 
village of Fajem Grande, and ^ a mile N. of the same point 
empties a river which is an outlet of the lakes on the cen¬ 
tral plateau of the island between the mountains of Oaboco 
and Morro Grande. The coast here is low and sandy. 

On the low rounded point of Baxio is the village of Fa- 
jemzinha, connected with Fajem Grande by a road that fol¬ 
lows the shore. In rear of the beach the coast is steep. 


CANTARIO BAY—BAXIO BAZA—SOUNDINGS. 


19 


The portion of the coast just described forms the bay of Cantario bay. 
Oantario. There is good anchorage in 25 to 30 fathoms 
water, sand, from which depths the soundings gradually 
decrease to 7 fathoms near the beach, with frequent rocky 
patches, so that care is necessary in letting go. There are 
25 fathoms about 1 mile from shore. 

There are a few rocks close to the base of Baxio point, and 
on the N. side of it there is a cleft which forms a little inlet 
or port, extending as far as the village of Fajemzinha* 

Near the point is a remarkable church, dedicated to St. 

Peter. 

After Baxio point comes the low point of Fanaes, backed 
by steep blackish heights. A few rocks lie near its base, 
and at 1 mile N. | W. of it is the island of Monchique, 110 
feet high. In the channel between it and the point there 
are 10 to 14 fathoms water, and vessels should pass close to 
the island, as it is steep to. 

At J a mile SE. by E. from Monchique is a smaller, Baxio Raza. 
low islet, named Baxio Baza, prolonged to southeastward 
by a ledge of covered rocks. Between this islet and. the 
coast there is a boat-channel with 6 fathoms water. The 
channel between Baxio Baza and Monchique is safe. 

The slight indentation between points Baxio and Fanaes San Pedro bay. 
is called San Pedro bay. Bocks lie all along its shores. Ves¬ 
sels can anchor off it in 20 to 30 fathoms water, sand, and 
about the middle of it there is a cascade formed by a brook 
which rises iu the high lands of the interior. 

Point Albernas, the NW. point of the island, is steep, Gadeiia islet, 
of reddish color, and 270 feet high, with rocks lying off its 
foot. Between it and Fanaes point the coast forms a bight 
with shores of high cliffs, and about midway between the 
two points is Gadella islet, nearly circular in form, 520 feet 
high, and connected with the shore by a ledge of rocks. 

Anchorage may be taken W. of the islet in 32 to 40 fathoms 
water, sand or gravel. 

Between Albernas and Delgada points the coast is clean 
and safe and is formed of high cliffs. 

The bank of soundings surrounding Flores follows with soundings, 
considerable regularity the contour of the coast and is widest 
N. of the island,where it forms a tolerably sharp point. From 
200 fathoms 5 miles N. of point Delgada, the depth dimin¬ 
ishes rapidly to 100 and then gradually to 21 fathoms near 


20 


aR AGIOS A. 


Tides. 


Aspect. 


the point. A like rule holds good everywhere around the 
island, the slope from 100 to 200 fathoms being rapid, and 
inside of 100 fathoms more or less gradual, according to the 
width of the bank. 

The bottom is generally of sand, and sometimes of rock 
or sand and coral. The shoals of Laranjeira and Escolar 
are the only dangers not close inshore j but the rocky patches 
must be avoided in letting go, and on this account it is bet¬ 
ter to anchor always at least 1 mile from shore, where fpul 
ground is more rarely found. 

From what has i)receded it may be seen that the anchor¬ 
ages of Corvo and Flores, being in open roadsteads, are easily 
taken, but are not well sheltered. 

The time of high water, full and change, in these islands 
is 12h. 20m., and the rise 4 feet. The general current about 
these islands, which are 120 miles from the central group, 
sets ordinarily between S. and SW., with a velocity vary¬ 
ing in proportion to the force of the wind, from 6 to 20 miles 
a day. The channel between them and Fayal is perfectly 
safe as far as is known, and is the preferable one to use in 
crossing the Archipelago. 

GEAOIOSA. 

Graciosa,the northern island of the central group, is, after 
Corvo, the smallest island of the archipelago j it is the most 
fertile of all, and derives its name from its pleasing appear¬ 
ance. It is extremely mountainous, particularly in the 
southern part. In the SW. the highest mountain, Pedro 
Botelho, is 1,378 feet high. In the SE. a group named the 
Caldeira, 1,349 feet high, forms, like the Oaldeira of Corvo, 
an elliptical space or valley, the plain of which is dotted 
with hillocks. One of the latter, broken by a deep crevasse, 
is named Forno. A lake in the NE. part of the plain is 
388 feet above the sea, and the rise from the plain to the 
mountain crests is almost perpendicular. 

In the eastern part of the island a group named Serro de 
Facho rises W. of the town of Pray a to the height of 1,226 
feet. 

The NW. point is not so high, though a number of peaks 
rise irregularly along the coast and in the interior, so that 
Graciosa can usually be recognized at a great distance. 


RESOURCES—BAXO ISLET—SHOAL. 


21 


The island produces barley, wheat, maize, wine, fruits and Resources, 
vegetables of all kinds. Of sheep, hogs, and fowls the in¬ 
habitants have more than they can consume. The only 
scarce article is wood, for this is obtained from San Jorge 
and Pico. The inhabitants are distributed in two towns, 

Praya and Santa Cruz, and several villages, the capital of 
the island being Santa Cruz. 

Between Graciosa and San Jorge there is a deep, safe channels, 
channel 20 miles wide, running NW. by W. and SE. by E.; 
and between it and Terceira the channel is also safe and 30 
miles wide. 

Point Carapacho, the SE. point of the island, is low to- carapac 
ward the sea, but high and craggy at a little distance inland. 

To the S. and E. the point is prolonged by ledges of rock, 
partly covered, and the sand-beach to westward of the point 
is fronted by rocks, some of them lying a considerable dis¬ 
tance off. 

Point Sul, the S. point, is of high bluffs, and between it 
and Carapacho in one of the small bights formed by the 
coast, there are several mineral springs. 

At ^ of a mile S. 52° E. of Carapacho point there is a large Baxo islet, 
oddly-shaped islet named Baxo. It is 450 yards long from 
SE. to NW., where it terminates in a sharp, high, conical 
point, while the SE. extremity is low, flat, and rounded. 

In this direction it is prolonged by a ledge partly covered, 
whose edge is marked by a small rock. 

N W. of Baxo and close to it is a second and much smaller 
islet, remarkable for its resemblance to a broken column. 

All the southern and western coast of Baxo is clean and 
steep-to. 

There is a good channel between Carapacho point and channel. 
Baxo, with 10 to 15 fathoms water, often used by vessels 
from the S. bound for Praya. It is necessary, in using this 
channel,to pass close to the islet,which maybe approached 
within 1 cable without fear, to avoid a dangerous shoal patch 
about J a mile to the westward. 

This shoal is a rocky hummock, with only 7 feet water on shoai. 
it, in line between point Sul and the SE. point of Baxo, or 
W. 30 N. from the latter. It is also in line with Carapacho 
and Este points. There is deep water around it, (from 9 to 
14 fathoms,) and the sea usually breaks on it. 


h o 


GRACIOSA. 


90 


Coast. 


Praya bay. 


Praya islet. 


CLaunel. 


Anchorage. 


Therefore, to take this chaunel Este point should be kept 
at least 1 point open of Carapacho until on the parallel of 
the SE. point of Baxo. Sailing-vessels should not attempt 
this passage unless with a fair wind. 

Point Este, to the northward of Carapacho, is formed of 
cliffs rising from a shingle beach. Between the two is an 
inlet, at the head of which there is a sand-beach, where a 
brook empties. In the interior rise the heights of the Oal- 
deira, and beyond Este point the coast gradually increases 
in height. Around this point there is a shoal extending out 
about 175 yards, with 3 to 3J fathoms water on it. Thence 
the coast is almost uniform and clear to point Eanais, which 
is of high, perpendicular cliffs. The coast between is of 
cliffs rising above a narrow beach of sand and shingle. At 
the base of the cliffs of point Eanais there are two rocks, 
just above water. 

Point Eanais is the southern point of Praya bay, which 
is only a slight indentation in the coast, fronted almost 
throughout by rocks, the only landing being at a small 
sand-beach in front of the town. Point Negra, low and 
round, is the northern limit. The town of Praya is built 
in a ravine where a brook flows to the sea, and along the 
shore to the southward of a vast bed of lava on the moun¬ 
tain side. South of the town the sand-beach at the foot of 
the cliffs is fronted by reefs extending out for 270 yards, at 
which distance there is a depth of more than 6 fathoms. 

About i a mile E. of point Negra is Praya islet, low on 
the W. side but rather higher on the E., so that from SSE. 
it looks like a wedge. It is surrounded by reefs and rocks, 
many of which are submarine, and the depth of water 
on the shoals around it varies from to 4 fathoms. Be¬ 
yond this shoal-bank and E. of the S. point of the islet is a 
head of rock with 4 feet water on it. It is about 500 yards 
from the point, and has from 6 to 14 fathoms water close 
to it. 

The channel between Praya islet and the coast is tolera¬ 
bly safe, the depths ranging from 7 to 11 fathoms. In 
using it a vessel should keep in mid-channel, keeping point 
Eanais bearing S. 19° E. or in line with Baxo islet ; the 
bottom is partly of rock, partly gravel. 

It is easy to make the anchorage of Praya from any direc¬ 
tion. The best place to anchor is about J of a mile S. of 


TIDES—SANTA CRUZ—SOUNDINGS. 


23 


tlie island and opposite the town in 10 to 12 fathoms. Ves¬ 
sels here, however, are only protected from winds from W. 
to S. 

The time of high water, full and change, is 12h.l5m., and 
the rise is 4 feet. 

The bank of soundings is 1 mile wide at point Fauais, and 
2 miles abreast the town of Praya. 

From Negra point the coast runs almost in a straight line 
to point Santa Catharina, with only a few little bights and 
slightly-projecting points. The first of these bights is just 
N. of point Kegra, and a larger one is N. of Santa Catha¬ 
rina. Between these points a few rocks lie along the coast, 
and rising above the cliffs is seen the peak of Aquilhino, 
1,172 feet high, the easternmost peak of the Serro de Facho 

After Santa Catharina comes point Ferreira or Jos 6 Fer¬ 
rer, which is 3 miles of point Negra. It is very 

low, being even with the water, and is i^rolonged for 2 cables 
to N. and E. by a dangerous shoal, some of the rocks being 
above winter. The depth of water at the edge of the bank 
is variable, being from 7 to 17 fathoms. 

Santa Cruz, the capital of this island, is on the low shore 
of a bight, W. of point Ferreira; it is of considerable size 
and of some commercial importance, but has no anchorage 
in its immediate vicinity. Close to the town, on the SW. 
side, are three small hills near each other, and a church is 
on the highest part of every one of them ; these, therefore, 
are good marks for the K. iiart of the island. 

The best anchorage about the island is off the southern 
extremity of a great slope of land extending toward the 
point of Ferreira, in 30 to 40 ffithorns, sandy-bottom, with 
Baxo islet in line with the western part of Praya islet, or a 
little open. Here vessels load and unload, and are ready to 
be off with any winds, but they lie sheltered only from S. by 
the W. nearly to N. All the goods from Santa Cruz are 
brought to this anchorage to be shipped. The tides are 
the same as at Praya. 

From Praya the bank of soundings widens, and abreast 
Ferreira point its limit is 3 miles from shore 5 then it nar¬ 
rows, and is about 2 miles wide at Santa Cruz and along the 
NE. coast. 

From Ferreira to Yermelha point the coast runs north¬ 
westward in almost a straight line, broken, however, by the 


Tides. 


Coast. 


Santa C ruz. 


Anchorage. 


Soundings. 


Coast. 


24 


GRAOIOSA. 


Gomez bay. 


Coast. 


bay on which Santa Cruz is situated. A few rocks lie ofi 
point Vermel ha. Thence the coast curves to the westward 
to point Pico i^^egra, the north point of the island ; it is 
high, oblique and of a very black color, and has reefs about 
its base j a few islets, quite near the coast, can be distin¬ 
guished when NW. or SW. of them. 

Thence to point Fogo do Porto, the western point 
of Graciosa, the coast continues high and rocky with here 
and there a shallow bight, in one of which is a sand-beach. 
A shoal 1 of a mile wide extends all along, the depth 
ranging from 2 to 5 fathoms, while breakers mark the 
shoaler spots. 

Point Fogo do Porto is a double point, the projections 
being separated by a little inlet completely obstructed by 
rocks. South of the second projection is Gomez bay, nearly 
circular in shape, and surrounded by cliffs with rocks lying 
along their base. There is a tolerably good landing near 
point Gomez, the southern limit of the bay, in which the 
soundings vary from 3 to 4 fathoms. The anchorage is out¬ 
side of the bight, a little less than a mile from shore, in 15 
fathoms water, coral bottom. 

Point Gomez is low and rocky, with a brook near it, and 
is at the base of a conical hill, about 515 feet high, named 
Vermelho. 

From this point the coast gradually rises and describes a 
slight curve, concave at first, and convex after reaching the 
village of Esperanza, about midway between Gomez and 
Branca points. A little S. of Esperanza is a very high 
point, named Frades, and just beyond this are the highest 
cliffs of the entire coast. North of point Branca, which is 
very high and sloping, is Pedro Botelho, 1,378 feet high, 
the highest mountain in the island. 

Between Branca and Fogo point, low and rocky, the 
coast forms a deep bight, the cliffs gradually diminishing in 
height. The shores at the bottom of the bight are fronted 
by rocks, the largest of which is named Forte islet. Near 
this islet there is good landing. A brook, which empties 
near point Fogo, rises in the interior and passes through the 
village of Luz, on the western slope of the Caldeira, and 
nearly on the meridian of the point. 

From point Fogo to Sul, the southern point, there are a 


SOUNDINGS—-TERCEIRA. 


25 


few unimportant bights. The coast is formed of cliffs of soundings, 
moderate height, and is safe and steep-to. 

The bank of soundings surrounding this island is of very 
irregular shape, and the depths, except NW. and W. of 
the island, diminish without regularity. The bottom is 
generally of sand or gravel, sometimes mixed with shells 
and coral, and there are many large patches of rock that 
must be avoided in letting go. 

TERCEIRA. 

Terceira, the seat of government of the Azores, is very Aspect, 
populous, having two towns and seventeen villages. Angra, 
on the S. coast, is the capital, and Praya is on the bay of 
the same name on the E. coast. The island is fertile, 
pleasant, and healthy. The lava districts produce excellent 
wines, though not equal to those of Madeira and the Cana¬ 
ries. The land yields large crops of wheat and other grain, 
pasture for cattle, and all those fruits of hot and cold cli¬ 
mates which are propagated to the greatest advantage in 
temperate countries, but chiefly lemons and oranges. Veg¬ 
etables also are abundant, especially potatoes. All kinds of 
cattle are cheap. Fish are plenty and of good quality, and 
water and wood abound. 

The coasts are high and so surrounded with craggy rocks 
as to render the island almost impregnable, every acces¬ 
sible part being defended by batteries. The eastern and 
central portions of the island are moderately high, and 
the western portion very much more so. Of an eminently 
volcanic nature, the island presents the most incongruous 
combinations of surface. Vast beds of lava appear on the 
K. and S. slopes of the central range, and in those parts 
particularly vines and fruits are cultivated. 

In the SE. part is a high and almost circular plateau, 
nearly 4 miles in diameter. It is surrounded by a belt of 
mountains, steep to the southward, but sloping gradually 
on the NE. side. Its eastern boundary is a range named 
Lomba da Praya, whose 2 principal peaks are 1,842 and 
1,662 feet high, and its southern boundary a chain, whose 
highest peaks are Piedras, 1,312, and Verde, 1,034 feet 
high. Its northwestern limit is formed by the heights of 


26 


TERCEIRA. 


the central Oaldeira, whose southern faces fall in rapid 
slopes toward Angra, 2,036 feet below. 

The summits of the central Oaldeira form an elliptical 
plain, decreasing in elevation toward the N. to the foot of 
the high mountains of the center of the island. Among 
these latter the peaks of Agudo, 2,650, and Xorte, 2,683 
feet high, are the most remarkable. This chain rises sharply 
from the central Oaldeira, and falls more gradually on the 
eastern and northern sides to the sea. 

In the western part is the Oaldeira de Santa Barbara or 
the Serreta, separated from the preceding by a deep valley, 
which completely isolates it. There are several craters of 
volcanoes and a few lakes on the plateau formed by the sum¬ 
mit of this mountain. The chief peaks are one on the S. 
3,500 feet high and one on the XE. 3,435 feet. 

Many volcanoes and secondary peaks disseminated over 
the surface of the island will be mentioned in describing the 
coasts. 

Mount Brazil, 555 feet high, is on a peninsula nearly in 
the middle of the S. coast, which shelters Angra bay on 
the W. It rises perpendicularly from the sea, and falls in a 
rapid slope on the N. to the citadel of San Joao, the princi¬ 
pal defense of Angra, which is on a plain opposite. The 
summit has the circular form so often found in the mount¬ 
ains of the Azores, called Oaldeira, a name given to the 
craters of extinct or inactive volcanoes. A watch-tower is 
on the eastern side of the summit. 

Angra road- The roadstead of Angra, in the bay of the same name, 
which is limited on the E. by point Val, is between the fort¬ 
resses of San Sebastian and San Antonio. The latter is the 
outer fort at the base of the mountain, and the former is on 
the first i3oint in the bay. The town and mole are at the 
head of the bay, and landing is not always easy. Mer¬ 
chant vessels generally anchor in 11 to 13 fathoms water, 
sand, on the line joining the two forts above mentioned, or 
farther in, in 7 to 9 fathoms. 

There is no difficulty in making this roadstead, and both 
shores of the bay are clean and safe, but the ground at the 
entrance is foul, so that it is dangerous to anchor outside. 
The soundings in the bay are very regular, diminishing 
gradually from 22 at the entrance to 3 or 4 fathoms near the 


ANCHORAaES—SIGNALS—DIRECTIONS. 


27 


town. Tlie bottom is generally of sand, but there are 
patches of rock to avoid in letting go. 

Merchant vessels at the above anchorage moor with two Anchorages, 
or four anchors. This is necessary as they are exposed to 
wind and sea from E. to SW. through S., and during such 
winds cannot get underway. In winter particularly the 
winds are violent, so that vessels are sometimes driven on 
shore in sp te of all precautions. The pilots are directed to 
examine carefully the anchors and cables of vessels they 
take in, and to see that at least one anchor and its chain are 
larger than the dimensions of the ship would ordinarily 
require. 

Men-of-war and large vessels commonly anchor farther 
out or about miles E. of the S. point of mount Brazil. 

They should always be ready to weigh with the commence¬ 
ment of the easterly or southerly winds. 

Angra bay is therefore an unsafe anchorage, especially in 
winter 5 from June to September, however, it is good, as the 
prevailing winds at this season are from W. to NW., and 
moderate. Keireshments are cheap and plenty and vessels 
may i)rocure them at the entrance of the bay from the na¬ 
tive boats, without anchoring. 

When the SE. wind and sea are so strong as to make it Signals, 
dangerous to enter, a large red and pennant is hoisted* 
on the custom-house wharf and at point San Antonio, to 
warn vessels to remain outside until the weather moderates. 

As during these gales the crews of vessels at an hor can be 
of no service on board, if the anchors have chain-cables, 
and as the heavy sea often makes it impossible for boats to 
render any assistance, it is well to land the crews as soon as 
the red flag is hoisted on point San Antonio. 

In approaching from the SW., S., or SE., steer directly Directions, 
for mount Brazil. Should the wind be adverse in approach¬ 
ing the land, tack boldly without the bay, as there is a 
sufficient depth up to the shore. But beware of a calm, 
as the currents are very strong and variable. If E. of 
the mountain and the breeze is light or it falls calm 
anchor when a convenient depth is found. If W. of it, if 
there is not a leading wind when sailing up toward the 
mountain, avoid too near an apjiroach to the coast, as it 
would, in a calm, be attended with the utmost danger j the 
coast being iron-bound, a ship driven on it would be in a 
most perilous situation. 


28 


TERCEIRA. 


Tides. 


Port Pipas. 


Coast. 


Cabras islets. 


Trades islets. 


The time of high water, full and change, is 12h. 32m., and 
the rise is 4 feet. The flood sets in to the NW. and the 
ebb to the SE. and SSE.j and sometimes to ESE. along 
the N. shore of the bay. 

On the western side of the castle of San Sebastian is a 
little beach slightly sheltered by a wall of the castle. It 
is called port Pipas and is the spot where fishing-vessels are 
secured by grounding them on the sand. It also serves as 
a landing-place when the sea does not allow of landing at 
the mole. It is sometimes easier to land on the rocks un¬ 
der the cliffs on tlie western side of the bay; this spot is 
marked by a foot-path of difficult ascent. 

From the castle of San Sebastian the coast is formed of 
cliffs, and runs northward as far as the mouth of a brook, 
off which are a few rocks. Thence it trends eastward to 
point Val. From this point to point Contiendas, the SE. 
point of the island, there are a few bights and slightly pro¬ 
jecting points, with occasional small sand-beaches. 

The first of these intermediate points is San Pedro, .with 
the village of the same name a little in the interior, and on 
the western slope of the peak of Piedrasj then comes 
Feteira and the village of the same name on mount Verde, 
and farther to the eastward is port Judea, a little bight at 
•the mouth of a rivulet, along which the village of Judea is 
built. 

Point Contiendas is low and salient, and is crowned by 
three little peaks; the two principal ones, Mina and Oon- 
tiendas, are 493 feet high, and W. of the latter there is a 
landing-place. 

About midway between mount Brazil and point Oontien- 
das, and at § of a mile from the nearest part of the coast, 
are the two Cabras islets. The eastern islet is the largest 
and highest, (480 feet.) On the S. and W. it rises perpen¬ 
dicularly from the sea, and seen from E. or W. it appears 
like a wedge. Between the islets is a boat-channel about 
220 yards wide, with 8 to 10 fathoms water in it; and between 
them and the coast any ship may pass, as there are 9 to 
23 fathoms water, with sandy bottom and rocks near shore 
only. 

The two Frades islets are about 2 miles SE. J E. from 
the larger Cabras islet, and the highest is 30 feet high; it 
is of pyramidal form and has several little peaks, which at 


FRADES SHOAL—PORTO NOVO—PRAYA BAY. 


29 


a distance look like a cluster of rocks. There are from 4 to 
20 fathoms water close alongside these islets, and ships may 
pass between them and the Oabras, the depths being 60 to 
75 fathoms, gravelly bottom and clear ground. 

At If miles E. J N. from the larger of the Frades is an 
isolated head of rock, with 28 fathoms water on it; it is on 
the meridian of Oontiendas point, and it is well to avoid 
passing over it when the sea is very heavy. This may be 
done by keeping in one the S. points of the large Oabras 
and mount Brazil. 

North of Oontiendas, the coast forms a small semicir¬ 
cular bight, of which the high, steep point Mina is the 
northern limit. At the end of the point are four large 
rocks or islets, and inside of it is a hill about the same 
height as the peaks of Oontiendas. 

Between the points of Mina and San Jorge, low and sur¬ 
mounted by a battery, the coast forms the bight of Porto 
Novo, recognizable by the peak of Oruz, 715 feet high, just 
N. of the village of San Sebastian. A brook flows through 
the valley N. of this peak, and near its mouth is a landing- 
place, but the anchorage in the bight is very bad. 

From point San Jorge, at the foot of the peak of Capitao, 
487 feet high, to point Baxios, the coast is moderately high, 
and oft’ the latter point are some rocks, on which the sea 
breaks when there is any wind. Close to these rocks there 
are 6 to 12 fathoms water, and at J of a mile from the point 
15 or 16 fathoms. In heavy weather the prolongation of 
this ledge under water causes the sea to break at some dis¬ 
tance from the point, and at such times it should be given 
a wide berth. 

After point Baxios comes point Santa Oatharina, moder¬ 
ately high, and with a fort on it; this is the southern limit 
of Praya bay, the northern limit being point Malmereudo, 
high, steep, projecting, and terminating in a reef, near the 
end of which is a rock, covered at high water. 

Praya bay, the best in the island, and one of the safest in 
the Azores with westerly winds, has the form of a crescent. 
It is about 1 mile across from fort Santa Oatharina on the S. 
to fort Santa Espirito on the N., and its shore is a fine 
beach, defended in the northern part by batteries. Fort 
Porto is opposite the town, on a tongue of sand that pro¬ 
tects a little inlet, called the port, from SE. and S\ winds. 


Trades shoal. 


Coast. 


Porto Novo. 


Praya bay 


TERCEIRA. 


Praya. 


CaToo (ia Praya. 


Directio 


Soundings. 


The water here is only a few feet deep, and the inlet is used 
only by the native craft. 

Praya is a fine and regularly-laid-out town along the little 
port in the northern part of the bay. Along the sea it is 
protected by a wall extending between the forts of Luz, 
Chagas, San Joao, San Antonio, and San Gaetano, the latter 
being on a sandy knoll on the right bank of the most north¬ 
erly water-course that empties into the bay. A few black 
rocks lie about the beach just N. of this fort, and others 
show near fort Chagas, a little S. of the town. 

South of fort San Caetano a river of the same name flows 
into the bay, where it forms quite an extensive marsh, which 
terminates at fort San Jose, W. of fort Santa Catharina. 

The village of Cabo da Praya is a short distance S. of 
fort San Jose, and near it a third stream falls into the bay. 
A road along the shore inside of the fortifications connects 
it with Praya. A hill named Paves rises E. of the village. 

The best mark for Praya bay is the range with the high 
peaks of Norte and Agudo, the southern part of which is 
nearly on the parallel of the town. This latter is in a val¬ 
ley formed by the Lomba da Praya on the SW. and some 
heights along the shore to the NE., and this valley extends 
to NW. across the island to Villa Nova, on the N. coast. 

The bay is free from any hidden danger, and is easy to 
make. The bottom is sand, good holding-ground. Vessels 
are sheltered from winds from N. to S. through W., but ex¬ 
posed to all others, and the easterly winds are rather to be 
dreaded, so that a ship should put to sea at the commence¬ 
ment of on-shore winds. The best anchorage is with Mal- 
merendo point in line with Carneiros islet, 3 miles N. 25° 
W. of it, and with the two steeples of the town in line, in 
about 25 fathoms. 

Boats should not attempt to land in the southern part of 
the bay, as they will ground on a bank there before reach¬ 
ing the beach. The proper landing, and a convenient one, 
is in the port. During the fine season, from June to Sep¬ 
tember, the winds are generally light and from the west¬ 
ward, so that then vessels can anchor farther inside, SE. of 
the town, in 7 to 10 fathoms. 

Abreast the bay the bank of soundings extends out for 7 
miles, at which distance there are 220 fathoms, diminishing 
rapidly to 90 fathoms, and then gradually to the shore. 


CARNEIROS ISLET—VILLA NOVA ROCK—COAST. 31 

Thus at 3 miles there are 50 fathoms, at IJ miles 28, at 1 
mile 18, and at J a mile 9 or 10 fathoms. The bottom is 
generally of sand, with frequent rocky x)atches. 

The time of high water, full and change, is 12h. 35in., and Tides, 
the rise is about 4 feet. 

As at Angra, provisions, &c., can be obtained from boats 
without the bay. 

From Malmerendo point the coast sweeps to northward cameiros islet, 
and westward to Cameiros point, and is formed of high in¬ 
accessible cliffs. About NNW. from the latter point is 
the islet of the same name, 62 feet high, and about 550 yards 
N. of point Cameiros is a shoal. The islet is steep-to, and 
between it and the coast is a clear channel J a mile wide, 
with 12 to 17 fathoms water in it. 

From [)oint Cameiros to Itua Longa, the northernmost 
point of the island, the coast is indented by several bays, 
but it is inaccessible throughout, and is fronted by rocks 
and reefs, so that an offing of at least 1 mile should be kept 
in sailing along it. 

West of point Espartal the coast forms two considerable^ 
bays. Off the first, and at f of a mile from the coast, is a 
patch of isolated low rocks known as Villa Nova rock, with 
6 fathoms water just E. of it, and 9 fathoms W. of it. There 
is a boat-channel between it and the coast. 

At the head of the second bight is the village of Villa 
Nova, and there is a landing-place between the village and 
the point of the same name ou the western shore of the 
bay. Off the point there are a few rocks. 

Between Villa Nova and Alagoa points the coast presents Coast, 
a wavy outline, and is formed of continuous cliffs whose 
base is fronted by rocks. The latter point is high, bluff, 
and quite salient. 

Thence to point Mysterio several little bights are formed. 

Point Mysterio itself appears, from several directions, to 
terminate in a low bluff, surmounted by an irregularly con¬ 
ical rock, and a little beyond it is a good-sized but inacces¬ 
sible bay which takes its name from the borough of Santa 
Beatrice, at its head. 

The coast line is then irregular to point Rua Longa, 
which is low and slightly projecting, and on which is the 
village of San Pedro. In the interior and a little to the 
westward of the point is the regular, conical peak of Vianna, 


32 


TERCEIRA. 


Serreta rocks. 


Caution. 


Coast. 


rising above a vast lava-bed, which, commencing near the 
center of the island, extends to the sea-coast. There is a 
landing in a bight W. of point Rua Longa. 

From this point the coast sweeps in a curve convex to N 
W., to Serreta point, and is formed of moderately high 
cliffs. The only noticeable point in this extent is the peak 
of Pinto, which is the half of a conical hill, the other half 
having been carried away by the sea. It is high, and the 
sea-face falls perpendicularly, and near it is the village of 
San Bento. Kegrita point is a little NE. of Serreta, and 
both of them are covered with scorise and streams of lava 
from the volcanic peak of Nigrao to the eastward. Serreta 
point projects for ^ a mile to seaward, so that a bight is 
formed on either side. 

At about 2 miles from the extremity of point Serreta, be¬ 
tween the bearings of N. 51° W. and N. 56^ W., there are 
two very dangerous rocks named the Serreta, with only 
IJ fathoms water on them. Though these dangers are 
separated by a narrow channel, they are both on a shoal- 
patch, where the depth ranges from 10 to 18 fathoms, be¬ 
tween which and the shore there is a deep channel more 
than 1 mile wide. 

Near the Serreta rocks the soundings are both great and 
variable, giving little warning of proximity to these dan¬ 
gers j so that great care is necessary unless the sea is break¬ 
ing on them. To avoid them vessels should pass (if inside 
them) § of a mile from the point on a NE. or SW. course, 
but it is better to pass outside, keeping an offing of about 5 
miles. The rocks are in line with Serreta point and the mid¬ 
dle of the Caldeira of Santa Barbara, and in going S. a ves¬ 
sel has cleared them when the peak of Nigrao is in line with 
the point, and in going N. when this peak is in line with 
Negrita point, or the middle of the Caldeira. 

Between point Serreta and the peak of the same name, 
1,090 feet high, the coast forms a shallow bight, and a little 
way inland is the village of Serreta. Between the points 
of Serreta and San Matheo, on the S. coast, the coast is in¬ 
accessible (except one small landing E. of Ribeiras point,) 
and should not be approached too closely. 

Point San Matheo is the western limit of a bay terminated 
on the E. by mount Brazil. The town of Angra extends in 
part along its coast, which is low and safe, yet the bay is so 


AN JORGE. 


3 


exposed that it is only frequented by the native craft. On 
its shores there are fine vineyards and gardens. 

The bank of soundings around Terceira is generally wide, Soundings, 
but very variable. On the NW. and SW., however, it is so 
narrow as to render an approach to this part of the coast 
quite dangerous. 

The bottom is variable as well, being chiefly sand, but 
often rock, coral, shells, and gravel. SE. and E. of the 
island it is generally of sand, but in the other parts the lead 
must always be taken as a guide in anchoring, as the changes 
are frequent and sudden. 

SAK JOKGE. 

San Jorge is a long, narrow island, lying WNW. and Aspect. 
ESE. It is 29 miles long from point Topo to point Ko. 
sales, and its average width is 3 miles, but the northwestern 
part is a narrow tongue terminating in a sharp point. The 
central portion is the highest. A mountain-range follows 
the direction of the island, and the highest peaks are Espe- 
ranza, 3,498 feet, and another NW. of it, 3,403 feet high. 

To N. and S. the slope is rapid to the sea. The central pla¬ 
teau is separated from one fiirther S. E. by a deep valley, 
through which a river flows. On this latter plateau are 3 
peaks, of which the first is 3,068 feet; the second, Patalogos, 

3,122 feet, and the third, Fojos, is 2,824 feet high j thence 
the land slopes gradually to SE., and near this extremity 
of the island several lesser mountains rise, the height of the 
greatest being 1,930 feet. 

In the narrow part of the island, to NNW., mountains 
form a crest, of which the highest peak is mount Trigo, 
which has an elevation of 1,685 feet. 

In 1808 the volcano of Esperanza was in active eruption. 

The i)rincipal stream of lava took its direction toward the 
fine town of Ursula, which it seemed on the point of swal¬ 
lowing up, but suddenly changing its course it rushed into 
the sea by a different channel. Many hundred acres of fer¬ 
tile land were covered with scoriie andasher, and some lives 
were lost. 

The population is distributed among 3 boroughs and 7 
villages, the southwestern part of the island being most 
thickly inhabited. Vines and grain of different kinds are 
3 A 


34 


SAN JORGE—COAST. 


Channels. 


Topo islet. 


Coast. 


cultivated, and excellent cheese is made. Water and wood 
are abundant. The chief town is Vellas, on the SW. coast. 

Between Graciosa and Terceira on the N., and San Jorge 
on the S., there is a wide, deep, and clear channel, which 
presents few difficulties to navigation; indeed, the sole ob¬ 
stacle is the current, which is very variable in direction and 
much influenced by the tides. 

The channel S. of this island, separating it from Pico and 
Fayal, is deep, clear, and 10 miles wide in its narrowest part. 
The current is quite strong, and follows the direction of the 
channel according to the tide. It is advised not to take this 
channel exce])t in settled w^eather and with a fair wind, for 
the coasts of Pico and San Jorge are so steep-to that a calm 
becomes dangerous. , 

Point Topo, at the eastern end of San Jorge, is tolerably 
high, and is surrounded by rocks, most of them above 
water. At J a mile E. of the point is an islet of the same 
name, GO feet high, nearly circular, and surrounded by reefs. 
Tbe channel between it and the coast is only 380 yards wide, 
and right in the middle of it is a cluster of rocks. The 
depth of water is 6 to 7 fathoms, and it is not recommended 
as a safe channel for ships, though Tofino says it is not 
dangerous. There is deep water near the islet on all sides 
except the S., where there is a shoal with 3 fathoms water 
over it. 

Between points Topo and Norte Grande the N. coast of 
San Jorge is formed of high clilfs, rising from a narrow, 
continuous line of beach. A few rocks, some of them above 
water, lie close inshore, but there are no other dangers. 
There are onl^- a few unimportant indentations and some 
slightly projecting points until Norte Grande point is reached. 
This is high and prolonged under water by a ledge of rocks, 
which extends about 440 yards in every direction. It is 
nearly on the meridian of the peak of Esperanza, and there 
is a landing E. of it in the bight between it and Norte Pe- 
queho. Dwellings line the road along the shore between 
these two points. Vessels can sail along shore, with an 
offing of 1 mile, without danger. 

From Norte Grande to Gonzalvo point the coast is of 
high cliffs. There are a few shallow indentations, the most 
noticeable being just E. and W. of Furada point. Along 
the foot of the cliffs there is a sand-beach, and W. of point 


ROSALES ISLETS. 


35 


Furada, and close to it, is a black rock. The point itself is 
quite high. W. of it a few little peaks rise above the cliffs, 
and near the first of them there is an inconsiderable town. 

Point Gouzalvo is low and blunt. Two lines of super¬ 
posed cliffs commence in its vicinity and extend westward 
to Norte point, low and slightly projecting. Thence the 
height of the cliffs gradually diminislies to point Eosales, 
the NW. point of the island. 

All the line of coast above described is safe, as there are 
only small reefs close to it, but it is almost inaccessible. 

Point Eosales is narrow, rounded, and moderately high. 
It is lower on the NE. than on the SW. side. It is pro¬ 
longed for about J a mile by a ledge of rocks, some of them 
submarine, and some that rise to the dignity of islets. Of 
these latter the two most remarkable are known as the 
Eosales islets, and are, one N. of the point and close to, and 
the other about ^ of a mile WNW. from the point. The 
larger is 234 feet high. South of the point there is another 
islet, 232 feet high, named Eosalina rock. 

Between Eosales point and the Morro Grande the coast is 
of moderate height, and is formed of perpendicular cliffs, 
crowned here and there by peaks of considerable size. 

The Morro Grande is a mountain somewhat similar in ap¬ 
pearance to mount Brazil, of Terceira, nearly black in color, 
and with a watch-tower on its summit. 

In proceeding SE. from Eosales point the first village 
seen is Euiva, nearly ou the meridian of the point of the 
same name. This point is remarkable from a peak which 
cai)S the cliffs, and a few rocks showing near its base. 

Theuce the coast curves slightly to form a bight, termin¬ 
ating at the i)oint of Morro do Lemo, which is high, salient, 
and surmounted on its eastern part by the hill from which 
it takes its name. 

Between the Morro do Lemo and Morro Grande there 
is a second unimportant bay, the shores of which are 
fronted by a few rocks. It is sometimes mistaken for Ycl- 
las bay, which lies E. of the latter hill. Such a mistake 
should be carefully guarded against, for it is difficult to 
leave this bay with the same wind that carried the vessel 
in, and the anchorage is bad, the bottom rocky and foul. 
Through a like error several vessels have been lost. 


Rosales islets. 


Coast. 


36 


VELLAS BAY—CALHETA CREEK. 


Vellas bay. 


Anchorage. 


Tides. 

Soundings. 


('alheta creek. 


The anchorage of Vellas is between Mono Grande, on the 
W., and point Queimada, distant miles, on the E. On 
the latter point is a little fort. It is protected from winds 
from NW. to ESE. through N. The head of the bay 
presents a line of tolerably high cliffs, forming near the 
town several points, near which are a few rocks. One of 
these points, at the SE. part of the town, protects a little 
bight, where the mole is situated, and inside of this there 
are 3 fathoms water, rocky bottom. 

In approaching from any direction, steer for Morro Grande, 
and then anchor on the line joining the foot of this hill with 
Queimada point. Opposite the town, on this line, there are 
9 fathoms water, fine black sand. This position is about 
midway between the two points, and the vessel is in posi¬ 
tion to clear either of them should a SE. or SW. wind, 
dangerous at this anchorage, set in. 

There are few resources to be found here, and the anchor¬ 
age is little frequented, except by the native craft. 

The time of high water, full and change, at Vellas is 12h. 
30m. The rise is from 4 to 5 feet. 

On the meridian of the town the bank of soundings is 
only about i a mile wide, at which distance there are 133 
fathoms, thence diminishing rapidly toward shore, so that 
at i of a mile there are 76 fathoms, and 9 fathoms at 450 
yards from shore. The bank is a little wider on the merid¬ 
ian of the Morro Grande, and much narrower on that of 
Queimada, where there are 264 fathoms at ^ a mile from the 
coast. At i of a mile there are 11 lathoms. 

Between the points of Queimada and Monteiro, the south¬ 
ernmost point of San Jorge, the coast is low and fronted by 
rocks, but the lands of the interior are high. A road thickly 
strewn with dwellings follows the direction of the shore-line, 
which presents several indentations or shallow bays, most of 
them inaccessible. 

The V'llage of Calheta is on the SE. slope of a mountain 
which rises beiiiiid the low point of Manadas. A reef along 
this part of the coast extends about 340 yards to seaward. 
The village is built along the shore, and the landing is in a 
little creek just E. of it, and | of a mile from point Manadas. 
A considerable quantity of wood is shipped from here to 
the other islands. 

Beyond Monteiro point the coast runs nearly in a straight 


PICO. 


37 


line to Morro, the SE. point of the island; it is high and 
steep, with a beach at its foot garnished with a few rocks. 

Between point Morro and Pontinha point, the coast is of 
low cliffs. A little N. of the latter point is a little bight, 
known as the port of Topo, which is frequented by the 
native craft trading with the village of Topo. 

The bank of soundings around the island of San Jorge 
follows nearly the direction of the coast-line; it is generally 
very narrow and is particularly so in the NW. part and 
along the southern coast, w'hence it follows that the currents 
of the channel between this island and Pico are dangerous 
in a calm, for the bank of soundings along the northern 
coast of Pico is even narrower than this, and it is difficult 
for a vessel drifting on the coast to anchor in time to avoid 
shipwreck. 

From Eosales point the bank extends 3f miles to VVSW. 
in a narrow tongue; at this distance there are 145 
fathoms, and at 2 miles farther W. 220 fathoms. From this 
limit the soundings diminish regularly to the point, but in 
running for the point a vessel should not get within 25 fath¬ 
oms, or about 1 mile, so as to av^oid the ledge which pro* 
longs the point for i a mile to seaward. The outer part of 
the reef breaks in heavj* weather, but at other times it is 
not dangerous. 

The 100-fathom line passes IJ miles S. of point Rosales, 
and the depths inside it are very irregular. Thence it nears 
the coast more and more, passing Morro Grande at a dis¬ 
tance of ^ a mile. Thence to point Manadas the bank 
is only a narrow band, and there is deep water close in¬ 
shore, sometimes as much as 90 fathoms, so that a good 
offing should be kept unless with a steady wind. From 
point Manadas to point Monteiro the bank grows irregularly 
wider, and the 100-fathom line is generally from J of a mile 
to l.mile from the coast; the depths are generally consider¬ 
able, close inshore. 

Between the points of Monteiro and Morro 200 fathoms 
are found about 1^ miles off shore, but the depths are 
irregular. The bottom of the entire bank is ordinarily of 
sand or rock. 

PICO. 

Pico, which takes its name from the highest mountain of 
the archipelago, (7,613feet high,) is irregularly shaped. 


Soundings. 


Aspect. 


38 


PICO. 


Kesources. 


being wide and rounded to WKW., and narrow to ESE. 
Tbough all the island is high, the western part is the highest 
and is almost completely occupied by the mountain of Pico. 
This mountain is of tolerably regular conical shape, trun¬ 
cated near the top, so that the edge seems a right line in¬ 
clining slightly to the E., and from the middle of the plateau 
thus formed rises a very sharp regular conical peak. From 
its base for about half its heiglit it is covered with vines 
and orange groves; for the next quarter it is covered with 
bushes, and the upper part is of bare rock and patches of 
grass. The ascent even of the sugar-loaf is possible. The 
peak has been described as filled with dark volcanic caverns, 
which have frequently emitted smoke, flames, and ashes to 
a considerable distance. At the foot of the mountain to¬ 
ward the E. is a spring of fresh water, generally cold, but 
sometimes so heated by the subterraneous fire as to rush out 
in torrents in a boiling state, and send forth a stream of 
sulphurous vapors, vitrified stones, &c. In clear weather 
the peak can be seen 72 miles and even a greater distance. 
The southern face is quite steep, but the northern slopes 
more gradually. 

Many secondary heights lie W. of the peak and line the 
W. coast of the island; among them the iieaks of Cabeza 
Grande, Cabeza das Casas, Cabezo Brabo, Agoa do. Pao, 
Serra Gorda, and Salado. 

The central part of the island forms at the foot of the 
eastern slope of the peak a narrow plateau, which slopes 
rapidly to the sea on the N. and S. Its general direction 
is WNW. and ESE., and it occupies the central portion 
of the island to its eastern extremity. Several peaks rise 
from it less lofty the farther E. they are. The most lofty 
of these is Topo, 5,357 feet high, on the southern border of 
the plateau, and then in going E. the Caldeira de Santa 
Barbara, 3,500 feet; the peaks of Cabras, 2,634 feet; Lanza, 
2,310 feet, and Sibado, 1,794 feet high. 

The island shows many traces of volcanic eruptions. Seen 
from a long distance it appears like a single mountain 
rising directly from the sea. 

There are several towns and eleven villages in Pico. The 
soil, chiefly of pulverized lava, is not favorable for produc¬ 
ing grain, and the greater part of the wheat and maize for 
consumption is imported from the neighboring islands. 


PICO—COAST—SOUNDINGS. 


39 


Wine is the staple commodity, and is reputed tbe best 
in the Azores; this, with brandy made from the inferior 
wine, is exported in considerable quantities. Cattle are 
various, numerous, and excellent; and fruit is abundant and 
equally fine. Besides these there is cedar with other tim¬ 
ber, including a beautiful kind of yew, called Teixo, which 
is remarkably solid and fine. 

The SE. point of the island, which is rather low and 
sloping, is named point Ilha. South of the point there is a 
small inlet, named Calhao Gordo, where there is a landing. 

Between Ilha and Oalheta point to the westward, the coast 
is moderately high and forms several small bights fre¬ 
quented only by the native craft, which haul up on the 
beach. Near the latter point are two little islets. 

Thence to point Negra the coast forms only shallow bays 
and slightly projecting points, behind which the lands of 
the interior rise in a sharp ascent. Near the brow of the 
cliffs a road lined on both sides with dwellings follows the 
direction of the coast. 

Between the points of Negra and Bibeiras the coast forms 
a shallow bight, called Eibeiras bay. Into this a river 
empties, which drains the valley formed by the Oaldeira of 
Santa Barbara and the mountains of Topo and San Paulo. 
The bay is only frequented by coasters belonging to the 
island. 

The village of Santa Barbara is 1 mile W. of Biscoito 
point, on the brow of the cliffs, at the foot of mount Topo. 
Biscoito point is wide and but slightly projecting. 

Arrife, the S. point of the island, is surmounted at its ex¬ 
tremity by a little conical hill, while just behind it rises the 
Cabeza de Granga, 1,4G1 feet high, formed of three summits, 
which can all be distinguished from the SSW., and be¬ 
yond these again is the peak of Topo. Point Arrife is a 
blunt promontory with reefs near its base, and the western 
part, Gastello point, is the southern extremity of Lagens bay. 

The portion of coast above described is only frequented by 
coasting-vessels, as it offers no anchorage for large vessels. 
The bank of soundings averages J a mile in width ; the bot¬ 
tom is generally of rock, and the soundings are great. At 
§ of a mile from the coast there are 200 to 225 fathoms. On 
the meridian of Arrife point the bank widens, and these 


Coast. 


Eibeiras ba\^ 


Soundings. 


40 


PICO—COAST. 


same soundings are found at a little more than 1 mile from 
the coast j the depth s inside these are irregular, and the 
bottom is of rock, sand and coral. 

Lagensbayand At poiiit Castcllo the coast tums to the and is fronted 

asoon. reefs, and then curves to the W. to Santa Catarina point, 

the western extremity of Lagens bay. 

The town of Lagens is N. of Gastello point, at the foot 
and on the western slope of the Cabeza de Granga. Here 
the coast is low and much broken, and one of the deepest 
indentations is called the lagoon of Lagens. There is a 
bar across the entrance, which may be crossed at high water, 
and it forms a little port, which the native craft use and 
where they are protected from the sea. All the coast near 
the town is fronted by rocks and islets, If. of which boats 
can land. 

Coast. Point Santa Catarina, low and rounded, is backed by 

high lands. There was a celebrated eruption in 1720 from 
the crater immediately in its rear. 

From Santa Catariua to point San Joao the coast is al¬ 
most a straight line, and is fronted by rocks and reefs. It 
is of rather low cliffs, and the only accessible point is off 
the village of San Joao. 

San Joao, which is rather a bend in the coast-line than a 
point, is surmounted by two craters, between which passes 
the road that follows the coast around the entire island. In 
1715 the northernmost of these craters caused great ravages 
in this part of the island by a violent eruption. A few 
rocks lie off the base of the point. 

Beyond this point there is a little sand-beach where boats 
can land, and then follows the promontory and low point of 
San Mattheus, crowned by five hillocks, W. of which is the 
town of the same name. 

Soundings. Between the points of Arrife and San Mattheus the bank 
of soundings is even narrower than that above described to 
the eastward. Depths of 200 to 225 fathoms are found at 
i a mile from the shore, and there is no available anchorage 
for large vessels. The bottom is chiefly of rock and sand. 

Coast. The so-called port of San Mattheus is off the village, 1 

mile from the point. Thence to point Arcos on the N. 
shore the coast describes a nearly regular curve, convex 
to the Fayal channel. It is of low cliffs, and has but a few 
slightly projecting points and shallow indentations, which 


PICO—COAST. 


41 


can be used only by the native craft, and it is fronted 
throughout by rocks and shoals. 

In the first part of this extent, between San Mattheus 
and Pe do Monte j)oint, the coast is low and fronted by 
rocks. A little N. of the latter point is the hill of Monte, 

242 feet high, and E. of it is the Oabeza das Casas. 

The village of Candelaria, near point Espartel, and be¬ 
tween it and Pe do Monte, is easily recognized by two tow¬ 
ers standing close together. 

Point P6 do Monte forms the southern limit of the Eayal 
channel on the E., while Baxio Grande is the northern limit. 

From the latter a ledge of rocks extends out about J a mile, 
and in heavy weather breakers extend outward for nearly 3 
miles, so that a good ofling must be kept. Between these 
two points are the rocks and port of Magdalena, oft’ the 
village of that name. 

Port Magdalena is a little inlet on the W. coast, on the^ortMagd ena. 
shore of which is the village. From this town the greater 
part of the produce of the island for exportation is shipped 
oft’ for Fayal in small row-boats. 

The Magdalena rocks are two islets more than J a mile Magdalena 
from the coast, and connected with it by a shoal. The 
southern islet is the larger. The smaller is a conical rock 
236 feet high, and lies about 200 yards N. of the former. 

The large islet rises perpendicularly on the eastern side, has 
a nearly flat summit, and terminates on the W. in a sharp 
ridge and a low point. The western part is pierced by a 
circular grotto, plainly seen when the island bears S. These 
islets are steep-to on the W., where there are 7 to 12 fath¬ 
oms water. On the shoal joining them to the coast there 
are 2J to 3 fathoms, and along its N. and S. edges 6 to 7 
fathoms. On this shoal, and about IJ cables from Magda¬ 
lena point, there is a rocky head where the sea breaks. All 
vessels should pass to westward of the islets. 

From point Baxio Grande the coast trends to the east- Coast, 
ward, and is low and little marked by points or bays, and, 
as before, it is fronted by rocks. The first point is Caes de 
Merato, then just beyond it Baxio Pequeiio, after which is 
the port of Oaxorro, a little bay, with a village on its shores, 
and then point Arcos, the northernmost point of the island. 

At 1 mile E. of this is Oabrita point, with the village of 


42 


PICO—COAST. 


Canas bay. 


Coast. 


Port Baxia. 


Santa Luzia a little in the interior. This village is W. of 
the low hill of Qneimado, which rises nearly from the sea. 

From point Oabrita to point Misterio, which is low, 
rounded, and prominent, the base of the coast is fronted by 
islets and reefs. Between these are the points of Queimada, 
N. of the hill above mentioned, and San Antonio, that shel¬ 
ters a little inlet where there is a landing. Kear the latter 
is the village of the same name. 

From point Misterio the lands rise gradually inland to a 
crater which was in activity in 1715. The eruption of that 
date is marked by a broad bed of lava and scorim. 

Near San Antonio point is the little bight or landing 
named Caes do Pico, used by the native craft, and farther 
to SE. the village of San Koque, and still farther on 
Biscoitos point, crowned by a conical hill. 

From point Misterio to point Lagido the coast is formed 
of low cliffs, the land then rising rapidly to the interior. 

South of the former point is Canas bay, a slight indenta¬ 
tion, on the shore of which stands the village of the same 
name. 

A little beyond Canas bay is the low point of Yermelha, 
off which is a ledge of rocks, two of them above water. 
This ledge lies close off the point and is about 500 yards in 
extent NNE. and SSW. Thence the coast runs to 
eastward and southward to the large village of Prainha. 

From Terra Alta point the cliffs are somewhat more lofty 
to Eibeirinha iioint, and at their base there is a sand-beach. 
About midway between these points there is a large rock a 
little off shore, named Rocha Alta. Eibeirinha point is low 
and fronted by a reef, w^hich extends for about 350 yards to 
the westward. 

Port Baxia is sim^ily a shallow bight lying between the 
points of Lagido and Castellito, the latter crowned by a lit¬ 
tle hill 256 feet high. At a little distance in the interior is 
the village of Piedade, where there is a rather remarkable 
church. 

To recapitulate, it maybe stated that there is not a single 
fit anchorage for large vessels about the island of Pico. The 
coasts are generally inaccessible, and the bank of soundings 
is extremely narrow throughout, with very deep water and 
rocky bottom. There is, however, a considerable coasting 


PICO—DIRECTIONS. 


43 


trade, aud most of the iiroduce of the island is sent to Horta, 
in Fayal. 

The time of high water, full and change, at Pico is 12h. Tides. 

30m., and the rise is 4^ feet. 

The channel between Pico and Fayal has been given the Fayai channel, 
name of the latter island, and, as both islands are on the 
same bank of soundings, bottom can be found anywhere in 
the channel. In its narrowest part it is 3J miles wide. 

In the northern part of the channel the depth diminishes 
regularly from 54 fathoms in the middle to 30 fathoms at 
1 mile from the coast of either island. Nearer the shore the 
soundings are irregular, but the Fayal side is the safer, for 
near Pico are, as already stated, the rollers off point Baxio 
Grande and the Magdalena rocks, which, notwithstanding 
their size, might be dangerous in thick weather or darkness. 

These are the only dangers in this portion of the channel. 

In the southern part the depths are more irregular, aud 
greater than in the northern. 

The only serious danger in the Fayal channel is Chapman Chapmanrock 
rock, in the southern part. This is a rock covered with 4 
fathoms water, the highest point of a small shoal with 9 to 
10 fathoms on it. It appears to be the summit of a subma¬ 
rine mountain, and the depths increase so rapidly that the 
lead is an insufficient guide of its vicinity. The shoal is 
nearly miles in length E. and W., and in westerly gales 
the sea breaks heavily on it. From this rock the following 
bearings have been taken : Espalamanca point, in Fayal, N. 
by E., distant 2^ miles; cape Guia, N. 47° W., distant 
miles; the chapel of Monte Guia, N.37° W.,and the higher 
Magdalena rock, E. 44^ N., distant 2f miles. It is also in 
line between the southern extremity of Monte Guia and the % 

peak of Monte, in Pico. 

To avoid this shoal in coming from the S. in the day-time. Directions, 
keep point Espalamanca aud point Kibeirinha, the NE. 
point of Fayal, in line until on the parallel of Guia mount¬ 
ain, when it will be cleared. 

In coming from the N., after passing southward of Espal¬ 
amanca point, keep on the above alignment until the xieak 
of Monte in Pico bears E., when it will be cleared. 

In coming from the SE. steer NW. J W. for the chapel 
on Monte Guia, (which will take the vessel J a mile S. of the 
shoal,) until on the alignment as above. 


44 


FATAL. 


Soundings. 


Tides. 


Aspect. 


In working throiigb the channel, do not pass to eastward 
of the line joining Espalamanca and Joao Dias points until 
to northward of the shoal, and do not approach the land 
too closely on account of the squalls and shifts of wind oc¬ 
casioned by it. 

At night, if the points are not easily distinguished, keep 
along the shore of either island until the rock is cleared. 

In raid-channel there is an irregularly-shaped pit, where 
there are 80 to 118 fathoms. The bottom in the northern 
part is of sand, shells, or gravel, with occasionally coral and 
scattered rocks. In the southern part it is nearly the same, 
but rocky patches are more frequent, especially near Pico 
and between Chapman rock and Guia mountain. Between 
Espalamanca point and the Magdalena rocks the sand of 
the bottom is only a light layer covering the rocks. The 
depths here also are considerable, and vessels should not 
anchor in this part. 

In the Fayal channel the flood sets to NE. with a veloc¬ 
ity of IJ miles an hour, and the ebb to SW. It is well to 
profit by the tides in passing through. The time of high 
water is 12h. 22m., and the rise is 4J feet. 

EAYAL. 

Fayal is in the form of an irregular polygon, with a large 
appendage or promontory on the W. Its greatest length is 
11 miles and its width miles. Like all the others of the 
archipelago, this island is mountainous; the central portion 
is the highest, and from a distance it has the appearance of 
a truncated cone. The central height is a crater, girdling 
a considerable space, forming a Caldeira like those already 
described in the other islands. The bottom of this space or 
pit is a fine plain, dotted with hillocks, and in it is a lake fed 
by a number of small streams from the surrounding heights. 
The upper part is 1 mile in diameter, and at its southern 
edge rises the mountain of Pico Grande, 3,351 feet high. 

From the foot of the Caldeira a chain commences and ex¬ 
tends westward, diminishing in height as it approaches the 
shore. One of the mountains in this chain, the peak of 
Eogo, 1,857 feet high, was in eruption in 1662, and the 
traces are still seen. Farther W. the mountains of Fonte 
and Norte were in eruption in 1614 and 1145, respectively. 


FATAL—OALDEIRA DO INFERNO. 


45 


This island has been celebrated for its excellent pastures, 
fish, wood, &c. The air is always mild and purej the cold 
of winter never felt, and the heat of summer always tem¬ 
pered by refreshing winds. The island produces wheat and 
maize sufficient for itself and a part of Pico. The cattle 
reared here are not sufficient for the consumption of the 
island, and supplies are therefore sent from the neighboring 
island of San Jorge. The annual produce of wine is also 
scanty. A considerable quantity is exported under the ap¬ 
pellation of Fayal wine, but it is chiefly from Pico. 

Fayal is the most frequented of all the islands after San 
Miguel, as it has one of the best harbors in the Azores, and 
lies directly in the track of vessels crossing the Atlantic. 
But little running water is found, so that many wells are 
used, which give water of excellent quality. 

Cape Guia is the SE. point of the i)eninsula or mount¬ 
ain of the same name, S. of Horta bay. It is a perpendic¬ 
ular clifl:*, above which the land rises rapidly to the summit, 
on which is the chapel of Nostra Senhora da Guia, or Er- 
mita. This summit is 487 feet high. At a few hundred 
yards northwestward from the chapel is the signal station. 

The eminence of Guia, the broken crater of an extinct 
volcano, forms a regular curve, convex to the N. j the S W. 
side is 340 feet high. The summit is a narrow, continuous 
plain, wdth several buildings on it. A road leads up the 
northern face, while the southern slope is very rapid, and 
the base of the hill on this side is indented with a figure- 
of-eight-shaped bight, named the Caldeira do Inferno, shel¬ 
tered from all winds. Unfortunately the bottom is generally 
of rock. The depth of water in the inner basin is to 5 
fathoms. 

The E. point of entrance to the Caldeira, Inferno point, 
might easily be made to shelter an excellent port for boats. 
It is formed of three large rocky islets. The W. point, 
Caldeira, is 1 cable distant from the first, and nearly mid- 
waj /etween them there is a rocky head with 3 fathoms 
over it. A breakwater from this rock to Caldeira point 
would shelter the basins, in the outer one of which there 
are 9 to 13 fathoms. From point Caldeira the coast trends 
to NW. and then W., to the W. point, named Ponta Oeste 
da Guia, the SE. extremity of Pirn bay. 


Resources. 


Cape Guia. 


Caldeira do In- 
feruo. 


46 


FATAL—PIM AND HORTA BAYS. 


Pim bay. 


Q ueimada 
islets aud rock. 


Horta bay. 


The mountain of Guia is connected with the main by a 
peninsula, low in its southern part, where it is called Entre 
Montes, and rising to a hill named Queimada, 268 feet high, 
in the There are fortifications on the brow of this hill, 
and point Queimada, at its base, is the southern limit of 
Horta bay. 

West of the peninsula is Pim bay, where small craft dis¬ 
charge cargo in fine weather, but it is completely exposed 
to SW. winds. The bottom is generally of rock, and the 
depth varies from 1 fathom near the beach to 12 fathoms 
at the entrance. The i)ort of Pim is at the head of the 
bay, with dex)ths of 1 to 2f fathoms. The coast at the foot 
of Guia hill is clean and safe, but the northern shore, 
(where can be seen a white house, a wind-mill, and Pim 
castle,) is fronted by rocks, and a shoal with 1 to fathoms 
on it, which narrows the available part of the bay consider¬ 
ably. A good anchorage is i of a mile W. of Ponta Oeste 
da Guia, in 17 to 19 fathoms water, sand. 

From Inferno point, the B. point of the Caldeira, the coast 
is formed of high cliffs to Greta point, close off which are 
two islets. Just N. of it is Greta castle; thence the coast 
is low around the northern side of Guia hill and along the 
peninsula of Entre Montes. A line of batteries extends all 
along here, and the coast is fronted by rocks and reefs. 

Abreast the peninsula is a large rock, named Queimada, 
with a number of smaller ones between it and the shore. 
Two other islets, the northernmost of these dangers, lie 
about 200 yards NE. of Queimada point, aud have the 
same name. At about 250 yards ENE. | E. from the 
point is a rock which dries at low water. To avoid all these 
dangers vessels should not approach Queimada islets within 
2 cables. The islets serve to mark the limit of a shoal ex¬ 
tending alongshore, with from to 4^ fathoms water over 
it, toward Greta castle. At the edge of this shoal there are 
7 fathoms, and between the points of Greta and Queimada 
vessels should not come witliin 15 fathoms. 

High bluff* cliffs recommence at the foot of Queimada 
hill, form the point of that name, and terminate at the south¬ 
ern part of the town of Horta, where there is a coal depot. 
Thence a sand beach extends northward to the castle of 
Santa Gruz on a rocky point, near which is the mole. The 
rocks cease off the town, and a black sand beach extends 


FAYAL—SOUNDINGS. 


47 


to Lagoa fort, the northern defense of the port; Iiere the 
cliffs recommence and extend along the shore of the bay 
to point Espalamaiica. A second signal-station stands on 
a hill 420 feet high, rising from the brow of the cliffs near 
the point. 

The town of Horta is regularly laid out and well built on 
a sloping plain at the foot of mount Oarneiro, 886 feet high, 
a conical hill on the parallel of the town. South of the 
town and NW. of Queimada hill, is a hill with two sum¬ 
mits, 208 and 280 feet high, named Mosso. In the town 
there are several large buildings; among them the con¬ 
vent of San Francisco, with two towers, a little to the N. of 
fort Santa Oruz; the Jesuit college, near which is a well 
and a convenient watering-place; the Carmelite convent 
W. of the town, and La Matriz and La Ooncei^ao K of it. 
Farther to the N. are Stone hill, 594 feet. Trees hill, 570 
feet, and another 549 feet high, all nearly in a WKW. 
line with the eminence on which the signal-station stands. 
The Flamengos river flows in the valley formed by these 
heights and the hill of San Amaro, 553 feet high, and forms 
at the northern part of the town, between the forts of Lagoa 
and Bom Jesus, a lake which has no outlet. 

The entrance to the bay is about If miles across, and 
though it is open to winds from Jl’E. to S. through E., it is 
one of the best anchorages of the Azores. The SE. winds 
are the most dangerous, as they blow directly on shore, and 
when they set in vessels should put to sea. 

The 5 and 10 fathom lines follow quite regularly the con¬ 
tour of the shore, the latter being about J of a mile from 
the beach; at ^ a mile there are 20 fathoms, and at 1 mile 
30 when abreast the middle of the bay; near the points, 
however, these depths are found much closer to the shore. 
The bottom is generally of sand with gravel, shells, and 
sometimes stone; rock is occasionally found near the points. 
About J of a mile ESE. J E. from Espalamanca point is 
a rock with 2 fathoms water on it. From it point Kibeirinha 
bears N. J E. and cape Guia SSW. J W. In entering the 
bay from the northward an offing of more than J a mile 
should be kept, from Espalamanca point. 

Merchant-vessels anchor on the meridian of the Lagoa 
fort abreast the southern part of the town in 14 to 20 
fathoms water, about 4 cables from the shore. 


Horta 


Soundinsfs. 


Anchorages- 


48 


FATAL—DIRECTIONS—COAST. 


Tides. 


Directions. 


Praya bay. 


Coast. 


Meu-of-war anchor a little farther tl., about 7 cables from 
the beach, with the N. part of the Jesuit college in line with 
the middle of the Carmelite convent, in 22 to 25 fathoms 
water, sand. At this anchorage it is easy to get under way 
with any wind. 

High water, full and change, in the bay of Horta is at llh. 
45m. The rise is 4J feet. The flood sets to NE. and the 
ebb to SW., with a velocity of to 2 miles an hour^ its 
greatest velocity is 3 miles. 

In coming from the S. to this anchorage the only danger 
is Chapman rock j directions for a voiding this have already 
been given. Care should also be taken not to draw too 
close under the land on account of the calms and squalls. 

In coming from the N. with a fair wind, there is no diffi¬ 
culty in making the anchorage, and in tacking it is only 
necessary not to stand on southward of the Guia chapel. 

Point Espalamanca is high, perpendicular, and rounded j 
a little fort and a lookout are on its summit. A shingle 
beach at its base extends as far as the village of Praya, in 
a valley at the southern base of the peak of Frades. There 
is a landing abreast the town near the left bank of a little 
river. 

The peak of Frades slopes rapidly to the E., and termin¬ 
ates in a high and very remarkable cliff, whence lower cliffs 
extend to the point of Joao Dias, nearly on the meridian ot 
imint Espalamanca. The bight between these points is 
called the bay of Praya. It is chiefly frequented by boats 
from Magdalena in Pico when opposed by southerly winds. 
They anchor in 17 fathoms, oiiposite the village with Espal¬ 
amanca point in one with Guia chapel, over a bottom of 
sand and shells. Vessels should not anchor too near point 
Espalamanca, as the rocks of the bottom are but lightly 
covered with sand. 

Korth of point Joao Dias there are several shallow 
bights. The coast is formed of cliffs, some of them very 
lofty, as far as point Ribeirinha, high, steep and rounded, 
with a little sand-beach at its base, at | of a mile from 
which there is anchorage in 20 to 25 fathoms, off a little 
water-course emptying through a gap in the cliffs near the 
middle of the bay. There are a few rocks off the base of 
the point. 

From point Ribeirinha to Oedros, the N W. point of Fayal, 


FAYAL—COAST. 


49 


the coast line is almost straight. A road parallel to the 
shore is lined on both sides with dwellings. Near the first 
point stands the village of Ribeirinha, and farther ta the 
NW. Boa Vista, and finally Cedros, all of them on the 
western slope of the chain named Serra do Oaboco. Be¬ 
tween the points just mentioned the coast is of rather lofty 
cliffs with a few rocks, some of them hidden close along 
their base. There are only two intermediate points at all 
prominent, Parede and Salao; between these there is a 
shallow bight, and near the latter a landing-place. 

Point Cedros, the NW. point of Fayal, is abrupt and 
pretty high j a few rocks lie near it. Here the coast turns 
to the southward and westward to point Praya do Norte, 
near the bay and village of that name. Like the rest of 
the coast this part is of cliffs, with but one salient point, 
that is remarkable for a little conical hill 470 feet high 
which crowns it. It is named point Jorge, and is high and 
almost perpendicular. 

The bay of Praya do Norte is a bight formed at the Praya do Norte 
northern angle of junction of the western promontory with 
the main island. There is a sand-beach at the bottom of 
the bight, and the village is on its western shore. 

Point Negra is the W. point of the island; close to and 
NW. of it there is a small islet. 

Between this point and point Comprida, about 1 mile 
farther S., there are two rocky islets called Capellinha rocks, 
lying i of a mile off* shore. The southernmost is the larger 
and is nearly round; the other is a vertical needle. Be¬ 
tween these rocks and the coast, itself lined with rocks, 
there is a narrow boat-channel with 5 to 6 fathoms water. 

The islets are steep-to on the W. 

Point Com prida is very low at its extremity, but rises coast, 
rapidly inland. E. of it is a little bight and a landing- 
place. Thence to point Yarador the coast is of low rocks 
and only slightly indented; a few sunken rocks lie near it. 

At point Yarador it forms a bight, where there is a landing- 
near the village of Ribeira do Cabo. Thence it is again 
high and steep to point Castello Branco, and all along there 
are rocks close to. 

Point Castello Branco is a little round steep hill sur¬ 
mounted by a fort, and connected with the mainland bj" a 
narrow isthmus, so that at a distance it has the appearance 
4 A 


50 


SAN MIGUEL. 


Soundings. 


Aspect. 


of an island. A village of the same name is on the main¬ 
land to the eastward. 

From Gastello Branco to the hill of Queimada there are 
only a few shallow bights, and the entire coast is fringed 
with reefs and rocks. The intermediate points are, first, 
Forte, prolonged by some detached rocks on the meridian 
of the village of Gastello Branco, and with a landing E. of 
it. Then Gaviota, steep and high, W. of a little bay with 
a sand-beach near the village of Feiteiras ; near this point, 
are two little islets not far from the coast. Next is Gaver- 
nas, low, and the eastern point of the same bayj it takes 
its name from a grotto that the sea has cut here in the 
cliffs. And finally comes Guarda, on which is a little fort 5 
this is the W. point of entrance to Pirn bay. 

The bank of soundings surrounding Fayal is narrow and 
variable. In the S. its greatest width is IJ miles, at which 
distance there are 190 fathoms, decreasing rapidly toward 
shore. The bottom is almost altogether rocky, so that this 
coast and the western, though there the bank is a little 
wider, are rarely approached by ships. Between the points 
of Gedros and Praya do Norte there are 200 fathoms at If 
miles, diminishing rapidly but regularly to 25 fathoms at 
about f of a mile from the coast; sand and gravel are occa¬ 
sionally found here. At point Gedros and along the NE. 
coast the bank is narrower and the coast is dangerous. In 
case of necessity, however, vessels can anchor in 38 to 40 
fathoms water, sand, at J of a mile from the shore. 

SAN MIGUEL. 

The islands of San Miguel and Santa Maria form the 
eastern group of the Azores. The descriptions of these 
islands given below are taken chiefly from the admirable 
papers of Mr. Gonsul Garew Hunt, communicated to the 
Eoyal Geographical Society, Loudon, in 1845. 

The island of San Miguel describes a curv^ed figure of 
pretty regular breadth as a whole, and occupies an area of 
224 square miles. In 1840 there were 18,809 inhabitants, 
so that it is the largest and most populous of the Azores. 

There is considerable variety in the aspect as the island 
is passed from E. to W. The E. end rises from the bluff’ 
sea-cliff‘ of between 1,200 and 1,400 feet elevation to a lofty 
inland peak, from which a central range, varying in height 


SAN MIGUEL—MOUNTAINS. 


Ol 


from 2,000 to 2,500 feet, runs to the westward, termmating 
in the Serra da Agoa do Pao, 3,070 feet above the sea. The 
sea-coast gradually declines in approaching the last point, 
where it is not more than about 100 feet high. The part 
next seen is lower, audits outline, as presented by the sum¬ 
mits of numerous volcanic monticules, of about 1,300 feet 
elevation, united in a central ridge more undulating, the 
western extremity being marked by the conspicuous Serra 
Gorda ,1,570 feet above the sea; its shores on both sides are 
low, broken, and rocky. Of the remaining part the aspect 
is that of a vast truncated cone irregularly cut off at an 
elevation of about 1,800 feet, and falling on the N., W., and 
S. sides to a perpendicular coast of between 300 and 800 
feet high. The outline is varied by the intervention of 
peaks thrown up on the summit and flanks, and round the 
foot of the mountain. 

In the higher parts the surface is generally covered with 
an undergrowth of heaths, cedar, laurel, laurestinas, and 
other evergreen shrubs, which give the mountains an ex¬ 
ceedingly rich and wooded appearance, notwithstanding the 
inroads of cultivation and the more destructive demand for 
fuel. Like all volcanic countries the face of the island is 
uneven and irregular, being deeply excavated by numerous 
ravines, and roughened by streams of semi-vitrifled and 
scoriaceous lava that resist all atmospheric influences and 
repel vegetation. Heavy rains falling on the mountains 
afford a constant supply of water to four lakes at the bottom 
ot extinct craters or subsidences and a number of minor 
reservoirs, and through them to sinall streams rapidly ruu- 
uing down on all sides into the sea. 

It is stated that when the island was first discovered it 
rose at the E. and W. ends into peaks of equal altitude, but 
the discoverers then leaving it and returning in the next 
year were witnesses of a volcanic eruj)tion that enveloped 
the W. end, when the peak had lost one-third of its height, 
presenting a broken line of truncation instead of its former 
cone. The scene of this change is the so-called valley of 
the Sete Cidades, a plain occupied partly by two lakes, partly 
by small hills of pumice and scorim, 881 feet above the level 
of the sea, and surrounded by a ridge with peaks of between 
1,880 and 2,810 feet elevation. 

The high mountains of San Miguel may be divided into 


Mountains. 


52 


SAN MiaUEL—MOUNTAINS. 


Waters. 


five groups. The first is the eastern chain, of which the 
peak of Yara, 3,570 feet, is the highest. From this moun¬ 
tain two branches extend southward, having at their point 
of junction the peak of Passo, 3,040 feet high, in the east¬ 
ern branch the peaks of Bartolomeo, 2,927 feet, and Nunez, 
2,220 feet. 

This is separated from the second or Furnas group by the 
valley of Provo§ao and a high, narrow plateau, south of 
which are the peaks of Monteiro and Sargulho, of 1,608 feet 
elevation. The highest peak of this group is Cafifanhote, 
in the northern part, 2,345 feet high. South of the main 
range is the valley of Furnas and the town of the same 
name, and farther S. is the peak of Gaspar, broken at the 
summit by a volcanic eruption. West of the latter and S. 
of the peak of Ferro, in the western part of the valley, lies 
the lake of Furnas, in which the water is 8 to 100 fathoms 
deep. Both of these chains slope rapidly and regularly to 
the northern shore, and irregularly to the southern. 

West of these an extensive plain, with scattered conical 
hills, and in its western iiart the lake of Congro, separates 
the second range from the third, that of the Agoa do Pao, 
where at the summit of the chain there is the lake of Fogo, 
with an average depth of 15 fathoms. The highest moun¬ 
tains here attain a height of 3,070 feet, falling gradually 
northward to the village of Ribeira Grande, and rapidly 
southward to Villa Franca and Agoa do Pao on the S. shore 
of tlie island. 

The lowest part of San Miguel is occupied by the fourth 
group. The loftiest peak of this group is Serra Gorda, 1,570 
feet high, and near the center are the peaks of Fogo and 
Pedra, 1,023 and 1,030 feet high. There are also many 
secondary peaks and constant marks of volcanic action. 

The spring-water in traversing parts under the influence 
of present heat, or changed by that of the past, takes up 
their chemical constituents. Thus the mineral waters of 
San Miguel are produced, and they are held in high estima¬ 
tion locally for their medicinal qualities, and are not un¬ 
known to men of science abroad. 

These waters are divided, according to their particular 
elements, into the following four kinds: Firsts the Oaldeiras 
or Boilers, containing a volume of carbonic acid, with sul¬ 
phuretted hydrogen and about two-thousandth parts of 


SAN MIGUEL—WATEES. 


53 


solid residuum, silica, alkaline carbonates,and neutral salts. 
Second, hot clialybeate of the Quenturas, containing a v^ol- 
lime of carbonic acid and one-thousandth part of residuum, 
two-thirds carbonates of lime and soda, with muriates and 
silicates of soda and potash, and nearly a fourth oxide of 
iron. Thirds Agoa Feuca, a tepid chalybeate, containing 
less carbonic acid and more iron than the second. And^ 
fourth^ the cold Agoa Azeda or acid water, containing a 
volume and a quarter of carbonic acid and two grains of 
residuum in an imperial pint. Of these two grains about a 
fifth is carbonate of iron, the remainder alkaline, carbonate 
and sulphate, with silica and carbonate of lime. 

Of these waters the first is used for baths only. It is 
very useful in chronic rheumatism and in removing the fat 
and bloated habit brought about by high living and inac¬ 
tion. It has been recommended for paralytic loss of power 
in the limbs, gravel, secondary syphilitic symptoms, chronic 
gout, dry and hard skin, unless attended by inflammation 
liable to be increased by stimulants j and, finally, for the pre¬ 
vention of diseases to which the full habit of an indolent 
life may lead. The temperature of this water is nearly 210° 
F., the boiling-point at the height of the Furnas above the 
level of the sea. 

A similar use is made of the second, efficacious in re¬ 
storing health to convalescents, and giving tone to the 
habit of those in want of it. It is particularly recom¬ 
mended for diseases peculiar to the female constitution. 

Less use is made of the third, although it is a valuable 
adjunct to the medicinal virtues of the valley. It contains 
more iron than that usually drunk, is free from salts, and, 
being tepid, can be taken internally in cases where cold 
water would be improper. 

The fourth spring is only used for drinking; its trans¬ 
parency, sparkling appearance, and acid taste rendering it 
agreeable notwithstanding its strong chalybeate character. 
Sick and well drink it indiscriminately, nor do any bad con¬ 
sequences appear to ensue, though it acts on the kidneys of 
those not accustomed to it. 

The population of San Miguel is distributed among 4 
towns and about 22 villages. There is a considerable pre¬ 
dominance of females over males, chiefly in the ages above 
7 years, owing, no doubt, to the emigration of male laborers 


Kesonrces. 


54 


SAN MIGUEL—RESOURCES—WINDS. 


Climate. 


Winds. 


to the Brazils. Government effort is made to prevent this 
drain, but without effect. The soil is extremely fertile, pro¬ 
ducing abundance of corn, maize, beans, and sweet pota¬ 
toes, with other vegetables and fruits. Cattle, sheep, pigs, 
and poultry are raised, and wine enough for the consump¬ 
tion of the inhabitants. Linen is manufactured, but has 
lost its importance as an article of export. A coarse woolen 
drugget employs a few domestic looms. A rough, weak 
IDottery and an inferior lime are made. Wood and water 
are abundant. Ponta Delgada is the best place for vessels 
to obtain stores, &c. 

The climate is temperate, and the variation of tempera¬ 
ture between winter and summer so inconsiderable as not 
to totally interrupt agricultural labor. The extremes of 
sensible heat and cold are, however, increased by the hu¬ 
midity of the atmosphere. In consequence of this humid¬ 
ity heavy thunder-storms are unknown, although ships have 
been struck by lightning in the neighborhood. 

Taking the average of 5 years, (1840-44,) and reducing 
the observations to apply to the sea-level at half tide, the 
barometer ranges between 30.69 in. and 29.46 in., the extremes 
having been 30.87 in. and 29.10 in., and the mean pressure 
30.166 in. 

As in summer it is seldom that clouds do not float in the 
atmosphere to offer an occasional mitigation of the suffs 
heat, so in winter there are few days when this is not felt, 
and the changes do not materially affect health, personal 
comfort, or the operations of out door business. 

There is no regular characteristic in the winds, except a 
prevalence at times from the NE. or NW., and the ordi¬ 
nary change from a SW. gale to a moderate NW. breeze. 
The latter circumstance is well known to mariners of the 
trade, and taken advantage of by them in returning to port 
after being compelled to go to sea by a gale from seaward. 

During the 5 years (1840-5,) there was a mean number of 
9 calm days, and the following number of each wind: 

Wind—N., KB., E., SE., S., SW., W., NW. 

Days—27, 110, 20, 40, 17, 51, 20, 71. 

Indicating that the island is removed from that part of 
the Atlantic where westerly winds generally prevail, and 
has a preponderance in the ratio of 37 to 26 of northerly 
and easterly over those from other points of the compass. 


SAN MIGUEL—WINDS—COAST. 


55 


Storms are not frequent nor generally of long duration, 
but they are heavy while they last. They have been found, 
by observations carefully registered, to possess a decidedly 
rotatory character, (interfered with, however, by the great 
altitude of Pico,) but not a regular course of progression. 

Storms are generally distributed as follows through each 
year: 


January. 1 

February. 2 

March. 2 

June. 1 


August -. 1 

October... 1 

November. 2 

December... 4 


The time of high water, full and change, at San Miguel is 
12h. 30m. The rise is G .6 feet. 


Tides. 


West of this island and to the southward the general set Currents, 
of the current is to SE. or NW., with a velocity of of 
a mile to 1 mile an hour. 

The steep, western point of the island, Ferraria, is crowned coast, 
by the hill of Camarinhas, 687 feet high. From its base a 
low point of rocks, fringed by a reef, extends out for i of a 
mile, and the sea often breaks at a greater distance. Sev¬ 
eral heads of rock show on the reef, and there are 20 fath¬ 
oms water at its edge. To the southward of the point there 
is a line of rocks extending 450 yards SW. from the coast. 

About 1 mile NW. by N. from the point is the site of Sa¬ 
brina island, now covered with 15 fathoms water. Its for¬ 
mation and subsequent disappearance will be noticed far¬ 
ther on. 

The coast between Ferraria and Delgada points is high, 
steep, and completely exposed. A few rocks lie close to the 
base of the cliffs, and on their brow there are the three vil¬ 
lages of Candelaria, Feteiras, and Eelva, connected by a 
road which follows the shore-line around almost the entire 
island. 

Be^'ond point Eelva the coast is lower to point Delgada, :^nat. 370 
off which there is a shoal and a rock about 325 yards dis- w w. ’ 
taut. This point is the W. point of entrance to Ponta Del¬ 
gada bay. Fort Santa Clara stands on the point, and in the 
fort there is a light-house building,* from which, when fin¬ 
ished, there will be displayed a fixed ivMte light, visible 10 
miles in clear weather. 


See note at end of volume. 












56 


SAN MIGUEL—PONTA DELGADA. 


^^onta Deigada The bay of Pouta Delgacla is comprised between the points 
of Deigada and Galera. The latter is low and fronted by 
rocks and islets. The coast between forms a rather shallow 
bay, exposed to winds from E. to W. through S., but well 
protected from all others. 

Ponta Del- PoiitaDeigada, the largest and most important town, and 
the capital of the island, is on the western shore of the bay. 
It contains about 20,000 inhabitants, and is built on the 
shore, on a low beach fronted by rocks, leaving between them 
occasional little bights, one of which, in the central part of 
the town and opposite the custom-house, forms a small port. 
It is built with tolerable regularity, the streets being straight 
and broad. The religious edifices are numerous and elegant, 
and forts and batteries protect the water-front. The church 
of Santa Clara is on point Deigada, and an old tower stands 
E. of the town, near the water’s edge. There is a little hill 
in the eastern part of the town, with the convent of Santa 
Madre on its summit, and the citadel of San Braz is on the 
shore in the western part. 

Just E. of the latter is point Areyal, which protects a 
small inlet or basin, with 1 fathom water in it, where the 
native craft find shelter in any weather. It is remarkable 
that a port of such active trade as Ponta Deigada is want¬ 
ing in three important requisites: banking establishments, 
mail-packets, and a repairing dock. A small basin, called 
the Areal, has generally served for the repair of vessels of 
light draught without offering any facilities for the trade 
generally, or to the more important traffic passing near the 
Azores between other countries. It is now in course of re¬ 
construction, and will be deepened to 15 feet for the purpose 
of receiving such ships of that draught as may come for re¬ 
pairs. A larger dock has long been projected, but the resi¬ 
dent capitalists are unwilling to undertake it.* 

Between point San Pedro, surmounted by a fort, and the 
custom-house, there is a small bay .with 2 to 2J fathoms 
water in it. 

Custom-house About 70 yards S. of the Custom-house point there is a 
® ■ small shoal of the same name, with 1 fathom water on it. 


* The breakwater now in course of construction at Ponta Deigada is 
already sufficiently advanced to afford shelter to the local traffic of the 
island. (Nautical Magazine, October, 1873.) 



SAN MiaUEL—ANCHORAGES. 


57 


The sea geaerally breaks on this rock, between which and 
the point there is a narrow boat-channel. 

Another small shoal with J a fathom over it lies 200 yards 
SSW. of San Pedro point, from which it takes its name. 
There are 4 fathoms water close to it on all sides. These 
two dangers are on a rocky plateau, which fronts all the 
town and extends irregularly into the bay, but never reach¬ 
ing more than 2 cables off shore. The soundings on this 
bank are from 1 to 4 fathoms, and at its edge the depth in¬ 
creases suddenly to 0 and 7 fathoms, sand. 

Beyond the 7-fathom line the soundings increase gradu¬ 
ally oft shore to 25 fathoms at 1 mile. Beyond this depth 
they increase irregularly to 45 fathoms at li miles. At 
miles there are 120 fathoms, and at 2 miles 200 fathoms, over 
generally sandy bottom. 

There is no difficulty in making the anchorage at Ponta 
Delgada. A good position (because here a ship can slip 
and put to sea with any wind to avoid a southerly gale) is 
in 40 fathoms water, sand, about 1 mile from the town, with 
point Delgada bearing NW. by W., the citadel NW., and 
the old tower K 4 E. 

Other anchorages which may be used in the fine season 
are J, i, or J of a mile S. of San Pedro point in 16,14, or 12 
fathoms water, sand bottom. 

A vessel forced by southerly winds to leave this anchor¬ 
age, and desiring to return to it, should round the western 
part of the island and await the NVV. wind, which almost 
always follows. Vessels which have, on the contrary, gone 
to the eastward, have sometimes taken 10 days to work back 
against the NVV. wind and the SE. current. 

The following signals are made from the flag-staff of the 
customs wharf: 

Bed flag: vessels at anchor should weigh at once; bad 
weather. 

White flag: vessels in sight can come to the anchorage; 
no danger. 

Bed flag loith ivhite border: no boats should be sent on 
shore, as landing is dangerous. 

Five mooring-buoys have been placed in the roadstead of 
Ponta Delgada and are of great assistance to vessels obliged 
to leave the anchorage. 


San Pedro 
shoal. 


Soundings. 


Anchorages. 


Caution. 


Signals. 


Buoys. 


58 


SAN MIGUEL—PORTS. 


Light. 


Calpeta inlet. 


Bay coast. 


Port Gaetano. 


Port Carneyros. 


Tofiiio rock. 


Port Cabassos. 


From 1816 to 1818 a light was exhibited from the tower of 
the cathedral, visible 6 or 7 miles. Since then there is no 
report of ir, and it probably no longer exists. 

Eastward of San Pedro point the coast forms a bight, 
much obstructed by rocks, at the head of which is the inlet 
or creek of Calpeta with a convenient landing. East of the 
inlet are several buildings and the old tower before men¬ 
tioned. This latter is i^robably the remains of an old light¬ 
house for the coast or port. 

Between the points of San Pedro and Eosto do Oao the 
coast is very broken, and is fronted with rocks all along. The 
latter point is rather lofty, rocky, and prominent. It is 
steep-to, with 5 fathoms water alongside of it, rocky bot¬ 
tom, and 7 fathoms water, sand, 200 yards S. of it. Beyond 
this the soundings augment regularly to 120 fathoms at 1^ 
miles. This point is the eastern limit of the regular road¬ 
stead, and is capped by a little conical hillock. 

From point Eosto do Cao to port Gaetano the coast is low 
and a few rocks lie off it. A few buildings stand on the 
points that form the port. Vessels riding out their quar¬ 
antine anchor off' the port in 12 fathoms water, sand, at i of 
a mile from the coast, or farther out in 30 fathoms. The 
next point, Alagoa, is low, and just inside of it the village 
of the same name is seen, surrounded by vineyards. 

East of this point is the little bay of Alagoa and the still 
smaller port of Carneyros, a mere break in the coast com¬ 
pletely open to the S. It is only used by the native boats. 
Beyond the port is point Agoa, the western point of port 
Cabassos, at the head of which there empties a river which 
traverses the town of Agoa do Pao. Point Galera is the 
eastern point of this port and of the bay of Ponta Delgada. 
The coast in its vicinity is clean and safe. 

At J a mile SW. of this point Tofino says there is a rock 
as large as a boat awash at low water. It is still marked 
on the charts, but Captain Vidal, E. E., searched for it with¬ 
out success in 1844, and states that no such danger occupies 
the given position. 

Port Cabassos is a bight whose coast-line is formed of 
high cliffs, where there is only a boat anchorage. Eocks 
and reefs lie thickly along the shore, and the only landing 
is near the mouth of the river which descends from the 
heights of the Serra da Agoa do Pao. 


SAN MIGUEL—VILLA FRANCA. 


59 


*?^Poiiit (jcileici is at tli© bas6 of a little peak, on the west- Coast, 
ern slope of which stands the town of Agoa do Pao, of no 
great importance. The point itself is blnfif, and the rocks 
and islets at its foot extend out for cables. In 1818 there 
was a light on this point, visible 6 or 7 miles, but it is no 
longer exhibited. 

From point Galera the coast is of rather lofty cliffs to 
Pyraniida point, high and abrupt, forming between them a 
shallow bight. The latter point is prolonged to SSE. by 
some rocks and a reef extending i of a mile to seaward, 
where the sea generally breaks. At 300 yards SW. by S. 
from the point there is a rock awash, and between it and 
the reef there is a channel 200 yards wide, with 8 or 9 fath¬ 
oms water, that can be used only by small craft and in fine 
weather. 

From Pyramida point to Villa Franca the coast forms 
several little bights; the first of these, just E. of the point, 
is almost semicircular in form and has a sand-beach along 
the base of the high cliffs which inclose it, but the entrance 
is obstructed by rocks. 

Point Forca, to the SW. of Villa Franca, is high and 
abrupt, with a few rocks close off it. 

The roadstead of Villa Franca commences at this latter vnia Franca, 
point. The town is built along the shore, on the brow of 
the cliffs, lowest on the eastern side; E. of the town a little 
river empties, and just beyond this there is a small sand- 
beach; at the farther extremity of the beach there is a 
salient rocky point named Area, at the foot of cliffs on which 
is the fort of the same name, defending the eastern part of 
the town. 

The coast between Forca and Area points is broken into 
little inlets and fronted all along by a bank of rocks and 
reefs reaching but a short distance out. At the edge of this 
bank there are 2 to 3 fathoms water, sandy bottom. Point 
Area is prolonged for one cable to the S. by a reef. Another 
defense of the town is a fort in the eastern part, named 
Gastello. 

Villa Franca island lies about 3 cables S. of Forca point, viiia Franca 
There are 3 to 4J fathoms water in the channel between, 
with bottom of sand and sometimes rock. This remarkable 
islet is high on the S. and SW., where it attains an eleva¬ 
tion of 80 feet, and low on the SE., while in shape it may 


GO 


SAN MIGUEL—COAST. 


Eoadstead. 


A.ncliorage. 


Coast. 


be compared to a broken ring. A gap in the NE. part 
forms the entrance to a circular basin where 4 or 5 small 
vessels can lie at anchor. The entrance is very narrow and 
only about 2 feet deep, but in the basin itself there are 6 feet 
water.* During SE. gales the water in this singular little 
port is much disturbed, and it is then dangerous. 

The roadstead of Villa Franca is between the island and 
the beach above mentioned. From the beach to the par¬ 
allel of the island the depth increases gradually from 2 to 
12 fathoms. Small craft moor as close to the island as pos¬ 
sible and off its NE. part, and even then are but poorly 
sheltered from SW. winds. Some rocky patches are scat¬ 
tered over the bottom and must be looked out for. 

Beyond the parallel of the island the depths augment reg¬ 
ularly and rapidly to 60 fathoms at miles S. of the town, 
and thence more rapidly to 165 fathoms at 2 miles. Vessels 
anchor in 9 fathoms water, sand and gravel, with the NE. 
point of the island bearing WSW. ^ W., the Gastello NW. 
by N., and fort Area K. by E. i E., about 330 yards from 
the reef off' Area point. This anchorage is recommended 
by Captain Vidal, E. N., but perhaps a preferable one is with 
the NE. point of the island on the same.bearing as before, 
and the Gastello bearing E., which is more removed from 
the breakers of point Area 5 in any case these can only be 
used in fine weather, as they are very dangerous with south¬ 
erly winds j during the season of the latter it is necessary 
to anchor farther out and to be always ready to put to sea. 

Provisions and water are in abundance and can be easily 
procured. 

From point Area to point Gar 9 a the coast is of high cliffs 
broken by little inlets. The latter point is high, steep, and 
clean; W. of it there is a lauding, and to NNW. the vil¬ 
lage of the same name. 

Thence to Lobeira point the coast forms a shallow 
bay backed by high lands; the i)eak of Pombas, 1,400 feet 
high, stands at the head of the bay, W. of Lobeira point. 
A short distance E. of the point there is a covered rock, and 
340 yards S. of the same point is the islet of Lobeira, leav¬ 
ing a channel between it and the shore, with 5 fathoms 

* These soundings are given by Kerliallet; the latest charts, however, 
give them as 2 fathoms and 6 fathoms. —Tr. 



SAN MIGUEL—COAST. 


01 


water. The islet is steep-to, and iminediately around it there 
are 7, 9, and 14 fathoms. 

Between the points of Lobeira and Fayal there is a wide 
shallow bay, in which are 2 prominent points. The first, 
Albiifeira, is fringed with rocks,' and just E. of it is the vil¬ 
lage of the same name, standing near the beach. The sec¬ 
ond, Kibeira Quente, is low, sharx>, and iirojecting. Be¬ 
tween this point and the village of Albufeira there fiowsthe 
river Quente, (Warm river,) so called on account of the 
boiling springs in its course. It is one of the largest rivers 
in the island, rises in and is supplied by the waters of the 
Furnas, and after a tortuous course of rather more than 4 
miles, reaches the sea in a mouth 20 feet wide, and a mean 
of 18 inches deep. From point Eibeira Quente to point 
Fayal the coast describes a regular arc, and is formed of 
lofty cliffs, in which there is a break at the village of Po- 
voagao. A river which traverses a valley of the same name 
disembogues near the village, and at 2 J cables off the mouth 
of the river, and SE. from the village church, there is a 
sunken rock, where the sea generally breaks. There are 3, 
5, and 7 fathoms water close to this danger. 

There is a good bottom of sand, or sand and gravel, in 
that part of the bay between points Eibeira Quente and 
Fayal, and in case of absolute necessity a vessel can anchor 
in 9 to 53 fathoms water j but the soundings are very ir¬ 
regular. The 100-fathom line is about IJ miles from the 
coast, except abreast the Quente river, where the bank sud¬ 
denly narrows, and 100 fathoms are found at J of a mile 
from the shore. 

The village of Fayal, E. of the point of this name, is 
crossed by the Moiuhos river, that flows down through the 
valley formed by the two chains of mountains, separating at 
the peak of Passo Alto. The coast is clean along here, 
and the shores are high, being formed of cliffs, with a sand- 
beach along their base. 

Point Eetorta, the SE. point of the island, is lofty, 
rounded, and abrupt. A few rocks lie near its foot. From 
there to Eibeira, the I^E. point of the island, the coast 
is high and steep, the cliffs rising from a narrow sand-beach. 
There are no dangers off this eastern shore, except a few 
rocks showing close to the beach. The only villages are 
Agoa Eetorta, a little in the interior, and between two 


Anchorage. 


Moinhos river. 


Coast. 


G2 


SAN MIGUEL—PORT FORMOSA. 


Port Formosa. 


streams, and Nazarete, in a little port of the same name, and 
near the chapel of N. S. da Mai, almost on the brow of the 
cliffs. 

To the southward of Ribeira point a ravine is formed by 
the peak of Griesta on the R., and some of the mountains 
detached froniYara peak on the W., through which a torrent 
flows, i^ear the point are the hamlets of S. de Oon- 
cei 9 ao, N. S. de Rosario, and San Jorge. The point itself 
is high. 

From point Ribeira to point Achada the coast is broken 
by several ravines and indented with several inlets. It is 
formed throughout of rather low cliffs, rising from a nar¬ 
row sand-beach. Between these two points is that of San 
Pedro, and in its vicinity the town of the same name. In 
a shallow bight, E. of this point, are the rocks named Pen- 
edos de San Pedro, near the beach. 

On the summit of point Achada is the village of like 
name, and a little W. of it is point Achadinha. Between 
the latter and point Ajuda, farther W., there is a bay, in 
the western part of which a landing maj" be effected in a 
gap in the coast, overlooked by a little conical hill. 

Point Ajuda is low, but the lauds rise rapidly in the in¬ 
terior. To the southeastward of the i)oint is seen the 
chapel of N. S. do Ros, and to the westward the village of 
Fauais dos Reys Magos. All along this part of the coast 
torrents fall down through the ravines, and some few rocks 
and reefs lie close to the shore. 

Between point Ajuda and Morro Grande, a steep hill ter¬ 
minating in a low, broken, and projecting point, the coast 
forms a wide bay, and curves more rapidly as it approaches 
the latter point. The coast is formed of low, broken cliffs, 
with many torrents falling into the sea. In this broad bay 
the only port is that of Formosa, between the points of 
Formosa and San Bras, and it is only fit for boats. The 
bottom is of rock. Near the port is the village of Nossa 
Senhora da Gra§a. All this part of the coast is clean, 
with the exception of here and there a few rocks near the 
base of the cliffs. Maya reef is a rocky ledge, midway be¬ 
tween points Ignes and Maya; and the latter point, accord¬ 
ing to Captain Yidal, is clean and safe, though Toflno makes 
the mistake of saying that reefs extend from it for 3 miles 
to seaward. There is a little bight and landing E. of point 


SAN MIGUEL—COAST—ANCHORAGE. 


63 


Maya, aud at the village of the same name. Westward of 
Formosa point is the peak of Trinidade, a small conical 
hill, and W. of this there are two others, and then the hill 
of Morro Grande. East of this point, and under point For- 
tinha, there is a little inlet and a landing. 

Point Morro Grande is steep-to ; W. of it the coast makes 
a rapid bend and forms a little bight, of which the western 
point, Eibeirinha, is low and sharp. To the southward of 
this point stands the village of the same name, and a little 
in the interior the chapel of San Antonio. 

The town of Eibeira Grande, which gives its name to the Ribeua Grande, 
bay between the points of Ribeirinha and Rabo do Peixe, is 
large and well built; with the surrounding district it num¬ 
bers 15,000 inhabitants. It stands on a plain, gently in¬ 
clined toward the sea, aud at the end of a broad valley 
watered by the river of the same name. 

The bay of Ribeira Grande is comj 4 letely exposed to ^^RibeiraGrande 
winds from NW. to NE. through N., and the anchorage 
is inconvenient as the heavy sea frequently interrupts com¬ 
munication with the shore. In consequence of this all i)ro- 
duce is taken overland to Ponta Delgada to be shipped. In 
fine weather, however, vessels can anchor in this bay and 
obtain supplies. A rocky bank extends along shore and 
sometimes reaches J a mile to seaward, but beyond this 
bank there is a good hard bottom of fine sand where ves¬ 
sels can anchor in 25 to 57 fathoms water. 

Off the beach in front of the town there are 2 fathoms 
water, and thence the depth increases regularly to the north- . 
ward. At J a mile there are 10 fathoms, at 1 mile 20 
fathoms, at 2 miles 50 fathoms, and at 3 miles 100 fathoms. 

The bottom to about J a mile from shore from the outer limit 
of the bank is generally of sand, sand aud shells, and some¬ 
times pebbles. 

There is no difficulty in making the anchorage of Ribeira Anchorage. 
Grande, but in letting go, a position should be taken that 
will allow of doubling point Ribeirinha with a NW. or N. 
wind. This point is steep-to and there are 23 fathoms 
w'ater close to it. With this in view a convenient anchor¬ 
age is with Morro Grande point bearing E. and the middle 
of Ribeira Grande S., a little more than a mile from the 
town, in 35 fathoms water, sand. 


64 


SAN MiaUEL—COAST. 


Rabo do Peixe At ^ a mile NE. by N. from the point of the hill Rabo 
do Peixe, there is a shoal of the same name in 4 fathoms 
water ; and around it there are 9 to 12 fathoms. This is the 
only hidden danger in the bay of Ribeira Grande. W. of 
the point the coast forms several projections, on one of 
which is the village of Rabo do Peixe } it is 3 miles from 
Ribeira Grande. 

Coast. Betsveen the points of Rabo do Peixe and Fanais is the 

low point of Calheta, with the village of the same name to 
the westward, and E. of Fanais point is an inlet and landing 
near the hamlet of San Pedro. Farther W. is the hill of 
Capellas connected with the shore by alow plain, on which 
is the town of Capellas at the entrance of a ravine. NW. 
of the hill there is a little bight, and another SE. of it, 
the only safe landings for boats along this part of the coast. 
One or the other is used according to the prevailing wind. 

From the point^f the hill of Capellas to Bretanha point 
the coast is of rather low clifi's, with rocks scattered along 
their base. In this extent there is the village of San Anto¬ 
nio near the point of the same name, aud farther on the 
village of Ajuda near point Costa. Landing may be 
effected E. of point Costa and at the foot of the little peak of 
Vermelho, 858 feet high, in a small inlet where a brook 
empties. The cliffs here are higher. 

L o ni b i 11 h a At f of a mile E. of point Bretanha there is a group of 
• rocks named Lombinha lying off the coast, leaving between 
a narrow channel with 4 fathoms water. The largest and 
most distant of these rocks is 450 yards off shore. 

Point Bretanha, the N. point of San Miguel, is high and 
rounded, and is formed of perpendicular cliffs. A few rocks 
lie close to it. As it projects but slightly, it is hard to dis¬ 
tinguish when seen from the NW. The village of Bre¬ 
tanha is inside the point, at the foot of a peak 1,052 feet 
high. 

joao Bom bay. Froiu point Bretanha the coast trends southerly and then 
• westerly to Mosteiros point, forming the bay of Joao Bom. 
Rocks lie all along the coast and extend farthest to seaward 
near point Mosteiros, itself prolonged by a reef for i of a 
mile, at which distance there are 0 fathoms water. The 
direction of the reef is to NW., and, according to Totiuo, 
the sea breaks at a distance of 3 miles in bad weather, so 
that it must be carefully avoided. The sharp, truncated 


SAN MiaUEL—MOSTEIROS ISLETS. G5 

peak of Maffa is a little in the interior, and from its remark¬ 
able shape forms a good mark for this bay. 

The village of Mosteiros is S. of the point of this name. Mosteirosislets. 
The coast along here is fronted by rocks and reefs, with 
narrow boat-channels between leading to the shore. The 
Mosteiros islets are on the parallel of the southern part of 
the village. The largest and farthest out is high and steep, 
and is pierced so that the sea rushes through it. This one 
is about i a mile off the coast, and inshore of it there are 
four smaller ones. 

From point Mosteiros the coast forms a shallow bight 
with a broken coast line extending to point Yarzea, high, 
steep, and surmounted by a little peak. It is prolonged for 
J of a mile to NW. by a reef. The site of Sabrina island is 
nearly on the parallel of this point. Thence to Ferraria 
point the coast is broken and inaccessible. 

The channel between San Miguel and Terceira was care- channel, 
fully explored by Captain Vidal, R. N., in 1843-’44, at which 
time no dangers existed, and no bottom was found with a 
line of 170 to 195 fathoms. But this channel has been and 
still is the theater of submarine disturbances, resulting in 
the successive appearance and disappearance of very dan¬ 
gerous shoals, &c. At various periods islands of consider¬ 
able size and height have been thrown up, and this fact is 
the more surprising since, as stated above, no bottom has 
been found at 195 fathoms, and it is difficult to conceive of 
so prodigious an expansive force as is necessary to produce 
such wonderful results. 

The first notice of such a fact was given in 1638. Smoke 
was seen rising from the sea where a volcano existed, but 
when the eruption ceased the lead gave a depth of 79 fath¬ 
oms over the spot. 

The second occurrence of the kind (doubted by Tofiiio) 
was in 1720. It was described in a letter of the 11th March, 

1721, written to the regent by M. de Montagnac, French 
consul at Lisbon, and also by M. Sauvaire, consul-general 
at Madeira, in April following, detailing a reconnaissance of 
the island by the commander of an English corvette. This 
officer sailed around the island at a distance of about 6 
miles, a nearer approach being prevented by the heat. It 
was again examined in July, 1721, by a French pilot named 
Leutier, who approached it within a muwsket-shot. Here he 
5 a 


66 


SAN MIGUEL—CHANNEL. 


found a depth of 13 fathoms water, black sand, and on a 
nearer approach fatlioms. The bottom was so hot that 
the tallow was melted from the lead. The latitude given 
by Leutier was 38^ 24', and the circumference of the island 
1 league. It was so high that it could be seen for 8 leagues. 

This eruption took place the 31st December, 1720. Toward 
the end of 1721, flames, stones, and smoke were still ejected, 
and visible from San Miguel. The island was stated to be 
18 leagues NW. by W. from the W. point of San Miguel, 
and 13 leagues SE. byE. from the SW. point of Terceira. 

In 1722 the island disappeared, leaving a shoal or reef 1J 
leagues long, which has in turn completely vanished. 

If the rarity of events of this nature has rendered some 
doubtful of the verity of this case and made others dis¬ 
believe it, a thoroughly authenticated case of later date 
ought to destroy any incredulity. 

In the early part of 1811 a most awful and tremendous 
explosion of smoke and flame issued from the sea at the dis¬ 
tance of half a league from the shore at the western end of 
the island of San Miguel. The flames were first seen on the 
night of the 1st of February. From the depth of about 40 
tathoms in the ocean issued smoke, fire, cinders, ashes, and 
stones of an immense size; thus a dangerous shoal was.grad- 
uall}^ formed, and the brig Swift was lost on it before its 
existence was known. On the 10th of June the crew of the 
British sloop-of-war Sabrina observed columns of white 
smoke rising from the sea, and then smoke and flame. On 
tlie 18th the Sabrina approached the volcano as near as she 
could with safety, as it was still raging with unabated vio¬ 
lence. On this day they observed the mouth of the crater 
just showing above the sea, and by 3 p. m. it was about 30 
feet above the surface of the water. On the 19th it was about 
50 feet high and § of a mile in length ; on the 30th it was 
about 150 feet high and still increasing in size. On the 4th 
of July they again visited it and found that a comj)lete 
island was formed and perfectly quiet. The captain and 
several officers landed upon it and found it 200 to 300 feet 
high and very steep. 

Subsequently the islet fell by degrees into the sea, and 
in the middle of October no part was left above water; but 
a dangerous shoal remained in the place which it had occu¬ 
pied. In February, 1812, smoke was discovered still issuing 


SAN MIGrUEL—SOUNDINGS. 


67 


out of the sea uear the spot. In June, 1841, Captain Yiclal, 
in H. M. S. Styx, anchored in 16 fathoms on the site of Sa¬ 
brina island, and found that the least Avater thereon was 15 
fathoms. 

In 1840 the Nautical published a communication 

from the British consul at the Azores giving notice of a shoal 
in the channel between San Miguel and Terceira. This 
new and dangerous shoal was described by three masters— 
Benj. Pratt, of the ship William, of Bangor; Yictorino 
Falcao, of the Tres Amigos ; and George Perkins, of the ship 
Plymouth, the latter having sighted it on the 25th of De¬ 
cember, 1848, and the others on the 31st of the same month 
The water broke mast-high over it, and it appeared to be 
an extensive shoal with several heads. Its position was 
given between 38^ 16' and 38^ 18' X. latitude, and 26^ 41' 
and 26^ 50' W. longitude, or nearl^^in tjie position of the 
volcano of 1720. It is stated to be about 35 miles NW. of 
the iflY. point of San Miguel, and vessels passing through 
the channel should use every precaution to avoid it. In bad 
w^eather the sea is said to break heavily on it, but possibly 
this is not the case in fair weather. 

The bank of soundings around San Miguel follows, nearly, 
the outline of the island, but it projects in two places in a 
broad tongue at right angles to the direction of the coast. 
One of these points extends NE. from point Kibeira, the NE. 
l^Dint of the island, and the other to the southward of Ponta 
Delgada bay'. 

The bottom between points Ferraria and Galera is of sand 
or gravel, with rock near shore; indeed the coast seems to 
be protected by a belt of rocks from the attacks of the waves. 
With the sand, shells and coral are occasionally found. 

From point Galera to point Pibeira vessels can anchor 
over almost any part of the bank, only taking care to avoid 
the scattered rocky patches. 

The northern coast, from point Kibeira to x^oint Bretanha, 
is almost inaccessible. The bank of soundings is narrow, and 
within 30 fathoms the bottom is of rock. Anchorage is 
dangerous on account of the heavy sea raised by winds 
from W. to E. through N.; communication with the shore is 
often comi)letely interrux^ted and only the native craft fre¬ 
quent this portion of the island. 


Soundings. 


68 


SANTA MAE I A. 


Maya rock. 


Aspect. 


V 


Maya rock, with 22 fathoms water on it and 52 to 59 fath¬ 
oms close to it on all sides, is 2 miles N. by E. J E. from 
Maya point and 3 miles W. of point Ajnda. It is only dan 
gerons in rough weather. 

It may be asserted that all the coast of San Miguel is safe, 
most of the dangers being apparent j but only the southern 
portion is frequented; here the auchorageSjif not altogether 
safe and .good, are at least passable. 

SANTA MAEIA. 

The island of Santa Maria is of irregular shape j about 7 
miles in its greatest and 5 miles in its least diameter, and 
contains an area of 36 square miles, or 27,000 acres. It has 
nearly in the center the double-peaked mountain of Pico 
Alto, 1,889 feet in height,* which falls on the E.and W. sides 
to a shelving base of about 1 mile in breadth, and 850 feet 
above the sea. To the N. aud S. it throws out a range of 
undulating heights, which terminate at the sea in lofty mural 
cliffs of more tlian200 feet in elevation. The E. side of this 
range is covered with hills, diminishing in altitude as they 
recede from the center, and intersected by numerous gorges 
of increasing width aud depth, the channels by which the 
heavy rains of winter reach their i^oiuts of discharge. The 
W. side is a slightly inclining and undulating plain, also 
cut by ravines, terminating in cliff’s more than 100 feet high. 
The aspect of Santa Maria is therefore on all sides perfectly 
bold 5 the central peak distinct; the subordinate range high 
and of varied outline, and the coast abrui)t, precipitous, and 
based by the usual accumulation of fallen masses. 

In its geology Santa Maria is not like the other islands, 
where the surface is of recent volcanic matter which con¬ 
ceals whatever may have been their original constitution or 
the progress of their growth. It is of trap formation, and 
contains, in its beds of marine shells, proofs of its elevation 
from the sea. The large masses which now appear as small 
islands off different parts of Santa Maria, form a striking 
feature in its geology, presenting, as they do, proofs of the 
immense force by which they were detached. The largest 
to the westward appears to have sunk on one side, while 

* According to the barometric measurements of Captain Yidal in 
1843-44. The English charts, however, give the height as 1,870 feet. 



SANTA MARIA—ANCIIORAGE. 


09 


another on the eastward^ which contains a cave full of stal¬ 
actites, would seem to be a fragment fallen from the semi¬ 
circular and crater-like excavation of San Lourenzo bay. 

On the N. and E. sides, and near the SE. angle, are co¬ 
pious springs of excellent water. In the other parts of the 
island there are none of any volume, and the inhabitants of 
the town suffer great privations in consequence during the 
summer. In the heavy rains of winter the ravines all over 
the island carry off torrents of water ; leaving, however, 
sufficient to percolate through the higher strata to keep the 
regular springs open all the year round. At Villa do Porto 
a ravine has been cut out about 80 feet in depth, the water 
escaping by a similar cavity in the dike, which leads to 
Beacon or Eacho hill, 758 feet high. 

The surface on the W. side of the island is much overlaid 
with stones, and bears a spare vegetation of grasses and 
weeds. Tlie central range is covered with the common 
heath, myrtle, and arbutus of the Azores, and the E. side 
is occupied, for the most part, with the agricultural produce 
of the island. Of trees there are a few in small plantations, 
and there is an increasing inclination to extend the culture 
of the orange, but the shrubs of the mountains, which now 
contribute most to the wooded appearance of the surface, 
are fast disappearing under the axes of the fuel-cutters, and 
the demand for land suited to the cultivation of corn. The 
agricultural iiroduce consists of wheat, corn, and oranges, 
and a small quantity of wine, potatoes, and beans. Cattle, 
sheep, and pigs, with a few goats, horses, and asses, are pas¬ 
tured on the western part. The land communications are 
extensive and good, and ox-carts are chiefly used for trans¬ 
porting produce. The population in 1810 was nearly 5,000, 
distributed among one town and three villages. 

Point Gastello, the SE. point of Santa Maria, is high, 
and has a break which forms a peak in the shape of a sen¬ 
try-box. A vessel may anchor with this point S. by W. and 
close to it in 9 fathoms water, sand. The bank of sound¬ 
ings only'extends J of a mile E. of this point, at which dis¬ 
tance the depth varies from 30 to 60 fathoms and then in¬ 
creases with almost a sheer Ml to 100 fathoms, bottom of 
rock. A little H. of this point is that of Malha, and near it 
the village of Malha or Maya. The coast between is very 


Resources. 


Anchorage. 


70 


sa:mta maria—coast. 


broken and ratber low. A conical hill stands just S. of the 
village and at the bottom of a bight between the points. 

Maiharock. At i of a mile from the shore abreast the village is a 
rock named Malha, steep-to, having 7 fathoms water on its 
northern side, and 11 fathoms on the eastern. The chan¬ 
nel between it and the coast has 8 to 10 fathoms and is con¬ 
stantly used by small craft. ToMo considers it safe for 
large vessels, but other writers recommend them not to 
use it. 

From point Malha to point Komeiros, the southern point 
of entrance to San Lourenzobay, the coast is of rather lofty 
cliffs with occasional shallow indentations. In this extent 
are met the points of Feiteira, Cedres, and Papagayo, all 
clean and steep-to. 

San Lourenzo The rocky islet of San Lourenzo, 275 feet high, lies east- 
ward of Eomeiros point, at the southern extremity of San 
Lourenzobay. It is shaped like a cog-wheel; two small 
rocks lie off the SE. part of it, one of them at the entrance 
of a small inlet where boats may enter. The coast along 
here is of rather lofty cliff's broken by gaps through which 
torrents fall down to the sea. 

San Lourenzo Poiiit Rouieiros is high; two rocks lie between it and San 
Lourenzo islet, and a third is a little to NW. of the islet, 
inside of which there is a boat-channel with 5 to G fathoms 
wmter, the coast and rocks being steep-to. Kow-boats fre¬ 
quently use this channel in fine weather; the least depth is 
4 fathoms. Point San Lourenzo forms the northern limit 
of the bay. The bay coast taking a nearly semicircular 
sweep, is of very high cliffs, falling in terraces to the water’s 
edge. On the lowest terrace there are a few houses, 
whence a road leads over the cliffs to the village of San 
Lourenzo, a little inland and on a high plateau. In the in¬ 
dentations of the bay-coast there are several sand-beaches 
and rocks, and reefs extend almost all along. Two water¬ 
courses discharge at the head of the bay. The landing is 
in a little circular bight in the northern part. The sound¬ 
ings in the bay increase regularly from less than 1 fathom 
near the shore to 20 fathoms, the limit of the sand bottom. 
Thence to 30 fathoms the increase is regular, but the bottom 
is of rock, and beyond this depth increases rapidly to 100 
fathoms at IJ miles from shore, abreast the middle of the 
bay. 


SANTA MARIA—COAST. 


71 


The best anchorage is on the meridian of the western Anchorage, 
part of San Lourenzo islet, with the point of San Lourenzo 
bearing NW. | W., in 14 fathoms water, black sand, or 
on the meridian of the middle of the island, the point bear¬ 
ing as above; this will place the vessel about ^ of a mile 
from the point and conveniently near the landing. In less 
than 20 fathomshvater the bottom is of sand, sand and shells, 
and sometimes gravel; in less than fathoms there are 
many patches of rock. 

There is no difficulty in making this anchorage, but the 
, bay is exposed to winds from N. to SE. through E. which 
roll' in a heavy sea. Getting under way is difficult, espe¬ 
cially with NE. winds. 

Water may be obtained by digging in the sand, and a 
few necessaries may be procured from the village of San 
LourenzQ. 

From iioint San Lourenzo to Souza, the NE. point of Coast. 

Santa Maria, the coast is of lofty cliffs with heights rising 
rapidly in the interior. A short distance to SE. and NW. 
of the latter point are the Souza rocks, on which the sea 
breaks. 

Point Matos which follows is of rather low rocks, backed 
by high lands. A reef and a few rocks lie off the point. 

Between this and Lagoiuhas point, the coast forms a 
shallow bay where several torrents discharge. The coast is 
fronted by rocks and reefs, a continuation of those off' point 
Matos extending out about 450 yards. Several of these 
rocks show. The depth at the edge of the bank or reef 
varies from 6 to 9 fathoms. 

Point Lagoinhas is prolonged by a chain of rocks and Lagoinhas islet, 
islets. The largest and farthest out is J a mile NNW. of 
the point, and bears the same name. It is 277 feet high. 

When bearing E. | K it looks like a table-rock with a small 
peak on the southern part. On this side it rises perpendic¬ 
ularly from the sea. There is no channel between it and 
the coast, but it is steep-to, and on the northern side there 
are 11 fathoms water. 

A very dangerous shoal, not mentioned by Tofliio, is on go in has 
the alignment of this islet and point Lagoinhas. It has 
only 6 fathoms water on it, and between it and the islet 
there is a channel a little more than | of a mile wide. La¬ 
goinhas shoal is steep-to, and it is not known whether the 


SANTA MARIA—COAST. 


72 


Coast. 


sea always breaks on it or not, but it must be dangerous in 
heavy weather. A vessel passing between it and the islet 
shoidd pass pretty close to the latter. 

From point Lagoinhas to point Oabrestante, the l^W. 
point of Santa Maria, the coast forms several bays. The 
clififs of point Ribeira rise in steps or terraces, and the point 
itself is high. Between this and point Tamuscal, farther 
W., there is a circular bay with pretty deep water. At the 
head of the bay there is a little conical peak with a river 
beside it where boats can enter to take in wood, water, and 
provisions. Point Tamuscal is abrupt and broken, and be¬ 
yond it another circular bay is formed terminating at point 
Trades. This latter point is 150 feet high, and is connected 
with the main by a low, narrow neck, so that seen from a 
distance E. or W. it appears like an island. The heights of 
the interior diminish in passing from point Ribeir£v to point 
Trades, and near the latter they reach their least elevation. 

Between iioint Trades and point Oabrestante the coast is 
comparatively low, and in this part several little bays offer 
occasional shelter to the native craft. The most frequented 
of these bays is between Trades iioint and point Turado, on 
which is the little fort of Bisco. A river empties here, and 
on its bank there is a village. At J a mile WNW. J W. 
from i)oint Turado there is a rock which breaks. It is sit¬ 
uated at the edge of a shoal-bank with 2 to 4 fathoms water, 
which fronts the coast from point Trades to point Oabres¬ 
tante, and thence to point Pendurados, extending out in 
places for J of a mile. At its edge there are 6 to 
fathoms. 

Point Oabrestante is low and surrounded by rocks. Mal- 
debarca rock is low and at the edge of the shoal bank above 
mentioned. It lies J of a mile SVY. by W. J W. from point 
Oabrestante. Beyond this i)oint the coast is higher, and is 
of mural cliffs. 

Point Pendurados is abrupt and rounded. It is high and 
safe, though a few rocks lie close to the foot of it. 

Trom point Pendurados to Villa island the coast is of 
rather lofty cliffs, and shows only a few little projecting 
points. It is safe but unfrequented, as it is almost inacces¬ 
sible. 

Villa island, near the SW. point of Santa Maria, is of 
irregular shape, with a little hillock on the summit. The 


Villa island. 


SANTA MARIA—ANCHORAGE. 


73 


liighest point is 196 feet above the sea. Between it and tl^e 
coast there is a boat-channel 165 yards wide, with 5 fath- 
oms water in mid-channel. The island is safe and steep-to 
on all sides. 

Malmerendo point, 150 feet high, is almost due E. of the 
southern point of Villa island. Between these two the 
soundings are 5, 6, and 7 fathoms, bottom of rock. There 
is a fort on the summit of IMalmerendo point, the W. point 
of the bay on which Villa do Porto or Santa Maria, the 
capital of the island, is situated. This town is at the bot¬ 
tom of a ravine through which two torrents flow. The 
coasts of the bay are of cliffs, and it terminates on the E. 
at point Marvao, also surmounted by a fort. A few rocks 
lie off the base of the point. The castle of Santa Luzia, in 
the SW. part of the town, defends the anchorage as well. 

The time of high water, full and change, at Villa do Porto 
is 12h. 15m., and the rise 6 feet. 

The bay of Villa do Porto is very open, and is completely 
exposed to winds from SE. to SW. through S., so that 
only small vessels anchor there, and they only in fine 
weather, as it is almost impossible to put to sea with south¬ 
erly winds. The bottom, too, is foul and rocky. The ordi¬ 
nary anchorage therefore is eastward of point Marvao, on 
the line joining points Malmerendo and Malbusco, keep¬ 
ing the fort on Malmerendo open of point Marvao. The 
anchorage is about 1 mile from the hitter point, in 25 to 30 
fathoms water, sand. A little farther E. the bottom is of 
rock again. 

There are 210 fathoms water, sand, at 2 miles S. of the 
town, diminishing rapidly to 73 fathoms at 1^ miles, and 
then gradually, but irregularly, to 6 and 7 fathoms at the 
edge of a shoal bank which extends along all the coast of 
the bay. Some islets lie along the shore on this bank, with 
channels between, to the lauding at the town, near a point 
a little E. of the castle of Santa Luzia. The bottom is gen¬ 
erally rocky, on which account Tofiho gives the anchorage 
of San Lourenzo, in the NE. part of the island, as prefer¬ 
able. 

The deep bight E. of point Marvao is named Praya bay; 
its eastern limit being point Malbusco, high, and crowned 
by a little peak. In this bay there is a black point, named 
Eigueiral, or Pedreira, at the base of mount Facho, (Beacon 


Porto or Santa 
Maria bay. 


Tides. 


Anchorage. 


Praya bay. 


74 


SANTA MAPtlA—SOUNDINGS. 


Soundings. 


hill,) 758 feet high. The anchorage of Santa Maria, above 
described, is nearly on the meridian of this point. It is 
easy to make, but care must be taken in letting go to choose 
the sandy bottom. There is only one hidden danger in 
Praya bay; this is Pescador rock, in the eastern part. It is 
steep-to, has 3^ fathoms water on it, and 15 to 17 fathoms on 
all sides. To avoid it in coming from the eastward keep Mal- 
merendo point in line with the northern part of Villa island, 
which will carry the vessel 1 mile S. of the rock. In com¬ 
ing from the westward keep point Malbusco open to the 
left or X. of point Gastello. These 2 points in line would 
take a vessel about 300 yards S. of the rock. It is not 
known whether the sea always breaks on this danger. 

The width of the bank of soundings in Praya bay, as far 
E. as Pescador rock, is IJ miles, at which distance there are 
110 fathoms. Pescador rock is nearly at the edge of the 
bank, the soundings here passing abruptly from 30 to 145 
fathoms. Near point Malbusco the bank is only § of a mile 
wide. West of this point, and quite near it, there is a vil¬ 
lage and a church. 

Beyond point Malbusco the coast is high and bluff. It 
trends nearly E. to point Gastello. A few rocks lie near 
the intermediate points, the only considerable one being 
Sul rock, off the point Penedo das Armas. It has a round 
top, and is more than 300 yards off shore, leaving a boat- 
channel between, with 8 fathoms water. This rock is safe 
and steep-to, having 12 fathoms close alongside. 

The bank of soundings along the S. coast is already de¬ 
scribed. At point Gastello the 100-fathom line passes at a 
distance of J of a mile, with bottom alternately of rock and 
sand; from 100 fathoms to 28 fathoms the change is very 
rapid. Between points Malha and Gedres the bank widens 
a little, and there are 128 fathoms 1 mile off shore, decreas¬ 
ing rapidly to 22 fiithoms, and irregularly inside of that 
depth. 

At San Lourenzo bay there are 226 fathoms at 2 miles, 
128 fathoms at IJ miles, and 30 fathoms at 1 mile. Inside 
the latter depth the soundings decrease gradually, and the 
bottom is generally sandy. This part of the island, there¬ 
fore, offers the best anchorage. 

The bank is also very narrow on the W. side; the bottom 
is of rock and the depths are very irregular. 


THE FORHIGAS. 


75 


Along the N. coast the bank is iniicli wider. From 100 
fathoms to 35 or 40 hithoms the diminution is regular, but 
inside those depths it is not so. In 30 to 35 fiithoms, the 
bottom is generally of rock, though occasional small patches 
of sand are found. In deeper water, however, the bottom 
is chiefly sand, with shells or coral, and small scattered 
rocky patches. From 100 fathoms the soundings augment 
rapidly to 200 and 220 fathoms. 

The N. side of Santa Maria aflbrds neither shelter nor 
anchorage. 

THE FOHMIGAS. 

The Formigas bank and rocks, as well as the other dan¬ 
gers described below, were carefully examined and described 
by Captain Vidal, E. i7., and the following description is 
taken mainly from his reports. 

The bank of the Formigas lies N. 45® 15' E. from the 
island of Santa Maria, at the distance of 19.7 miles from 
Matos, its iSiE. and nearest point. It is formed by a sub¬ 
marine mountain of very irregular elevation, and which, 
traced to the depth of 200 fathoms, was found to extend 
GJ miles from ISiW. to SE. by about 3 miles in greatest 
breadth. 

i7ear its western margin there is a narrow cluster of black 
rocks, known as the Formigas, (or Ants,) which are about 
800 yards in length, by 150 in extreme breadth; their rela¬ 
tive direction being IST. and S. The southernmost of them 
for about 350 yards forms a rather closely connected mass, 
having a small bay on the W. The northern ones are more 
separated from each other, and all are comparatively of lit¬ 
tle elevation, but their profile exhibits a few hummocks. 
That on the southern extremity is 27 feet above low-water 
springs, and is in lat. 37° 16' 14" N., long. 27° 47' 06" W. 
From a thedolite station erected here the following bearings 
were taken : Pico Alto in Santa Maria S. 40° 37' 39" W.; 
Pico Gastello at the SE. extremity of Santa Maria S. 29° 
04' 09" W.; and Pico Vara, the highest land near the E. end 
of San Miguel, N. 32° 12' 21" W.,the latter peak being 38.1 
miles distant, and Pico Alto 23.4 miles. 

The most elevated rock of the group, named by Tofino 
‘^Hormigon,” is 35 feet in height, and stands on their east¬ 
ern side, about 200 yards from the northernmost rock, some- 


76 


DOLLABAEAT SHOAL. 


what more isolated tlian tlie others, and having an inclina¬ 
tion to the southward. 

With smooth water there is no difficulty in landing, par¬ 
ticularly on the southern rocks j hut in strong winds or a 
high swell the sea rolls over them all, leaving a black naked 
surface entirely devoid of vegetation. At 130 yards S. of 
the southern Formiga is a small rocky shoal, some parts of 
which are visible at low watef; the channel between it 
and the rock has 5 to 6 and 15 fathoms water over the ridge 
which connects them, the greatest depth being near mid¬ 
channel. Again, 600 yards or of a mile S. of the south¬ 
ern Formiga is another small rocky patch having 4^ fath¬ 
oms upon it at low water. It is steep-to on the E., W., and 
S., but on a line drawn from it to the Formigas the sound¬ 
ings are very irregular; 11, 8, and 14 fathoms. 

On the N. the Formigas may be approached within a few 
yards, but a narrow ridge runs out from them in that direc¬ 
tion for about 400 yards with varying depths upon it, but 
no dangers. The outer extremity of this ridge has 18 fath¬ 
oms on it, with the northernmost rock bearing S., distant 
about 300 yards. Immediately H. of this it drops quickly 
into 30 and then 50 fathoms. On the meridian of the rocks 
soundings extend off to the distance of ly^g miles. On the 
E. and W. they are quite clear, with deep water close up to 
them; but on the W. the edge of the bank is not more than 
i a mile off, and at the distance of 200 yards from them the 
depth on it will be found about 50 fathoms. 

Doiiabarat S. 47^ 07' E. 3J miles from the station on theS. Formiga 
is the western head of a very dangerous shoal named Doi¬ 
iabarat, from the captain of the Marie de Siboiirre, who saw 
the shoal in 1788 on his return from Martinique to Bayonne. 
It consists of two or three rocky heads or knolls, which at 
low-water springs have only 11 feet water on then. At that 
time of tide their position is marked by several large white 
patches, which may be distinctly seen, especially so in bright 
sunny weather. This shoal is near the southern edge of a 
rocky ridge which extends from it l/g miles N. 15° 30' E . 
The soundings over it are most irregular, varying from 14 
to 28 and 30 fathoms, with 45 and 50 close to its edges; but 
there are no actual dangers upon it except those comprised 
within a short radius that is clearly marked on all the charts. 

The whole bank of the Formigas, as already stated, is a 


DANGERS. 


77 


submarine mountain, and its varied elevations approach 
! the surface of the ocean in several places. The shoal of 
Dollabarat is the most eastern of these ridges, and the 
mountain has a steep but tolerably regular descent from it 
to the NE., E., SE., and S., the southeastern slope being 
the most gradual. 

The ridge next in extent to the Dollabarat lies 1miles to 
the SE. of the S. Formiga. Its southern end is on a line 
drawn from that rock to Dollabarat, and it runs thence 1 mile 
N. 150 E., which is nearly the direction of the Dollabarat 
ridge. The least water found upon it was 16 fathoms, but 
the depths vary from that to 28 fathoms, beyond which it 
deepens abruptly on all sides. At its 1:1. end there are 18 
fathoms, and next cast 44. Off its S. end are two detached 
patches, very small 5 the one has 28 and the other 30 fathoms 
on it. 

Another but smaller ridge occurs on the W. side of Dol¬ 
labarat shoal, between it and that last described. It is 
nearly of a mile in length, very narrow, and the depth 
upon it ranges from 2T to 32 fathoms j its general direction 
is about 17. lO*^ E. 

The quality of the bottom over the bank of the Formigas 
is principally rock, with frequent casts of fine white sand, 
broken shells, and small pieces of the branch coral common 
in these latitudes. 

The Dollabarat shoal is a very insidious danger in smooth 
water, but in stormy weather the seas break over it with 
great violence. The rocks of the Formigas, and the breakers 
upon them and upon Dollabarat shoal, can frequently be 
seen from the eastern cliffs of Santa Maria. 

DANGEES. 

In 1808, Capt. William Tulloch,of the brig Equator^ of TuIIoc h rocks. 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on a voyage from Madeira to 
San Miguel, was alarmed by some of his crew seeing breakers. 

After altering his course he still saw breakers ahead, and 
as it blew too hard to haul by the wind and weather them, 
he determined as his only chance to endeavor to push 
through. Accordingly, having taken in every sail except the 
fore-topsail, he went to the fore-topmast-head himself, and 
carried his vessel safely through by luffing up and keeping 
away as he saw necessary. Captain Tulloch counted dis- 


78 


DANGERS. 


Kutnsoff bank. 


Whale rock. 


tinctly 21 heads of rocks, none appearing to have much 
water ov^er them, and two showing occasionally above water 
in the wash of the sea. Their extent, the captain thinks, 
did not exceed J mile from N. to S., and was still less from 
E. to W. They bore EXE. by compass* from the highest 
rock of the Formigas then in sight, distant about 10 miles, 
and appeared very black below water. 

It is stated that the breakers on Tulloch rocks have been 
seen several times since 1808, the positions given agreeing 
pretty well with that given above, yet both American and 
English men-of-war have searched carefully and patiently 
for them without success. Captain Vidal says: “We must 
express our opinion upon this reputed danger, as formerly 
upon the apparently well-authenticated statements relative 
to the Aitkins rock. It looks very like a whale; but seeing 
the great difficulty there is in discovering small rocks 
beneath the surface of the ocean, we by no means presume 
to assert that Tullocffis reef does not exist, but we enter¬ 
tain a very decided opinion that it will not be found in the 
position assigned to it.” 

Kutusoff bank was discovered in 181G by the officers 
of the Eussian American Company’s ships 'Kiitusoff and 
Sicaroffm going from Europe to the EW. coast of America. 
Being S. of the Azores they noticed a decided change in 
the color of the sea and some ripples. The Kiitusoff 
sounded and found successively 119, 110, 127, and 127 
fathoms. The Swaroff, 2 miles farther to SE., found 119 
fathoms. The officers estimated the bank to extend 10 
miles E. and W., and though they saw no breakers, they 
thought there were rocks awash on the eastern part. 

Captain Livingston says: “On our passage in 1819 from 
Havana to Barcelona, we passed over white water, appar¬ 
ently a shoal, to the southward and westward of Santa 
Maria. The captain would not allow tlie vessel to heave-to 
in order to sound, but I have no doubt iu my mind of its 
being a very exteiivSive bank of soundings.” By his calcu¬ 
lation this bank was about H NE. of the position given 
for the Kiitusoff bank, or in lat. 35° 31' N., long. 27° 19' 
W. This is all the information yet gathered on the subject. 

M. Fleurieu exhibited this rock on his chart of the Azores, 
at about 29 leagues north ward of San Miguel. High breakers 
* Variation in 1808 at San Miguel 23° westerly. 



DANGERS. 


79 


were seen by Captain Gradun, of the Harmony^ of London, in 
1800, lat. by observation 38^ 4G^, and long, by account 24 ^ 47 / ^ 

W., being nearly the position given by M. Fleurieu. In 1863 
it was again reported by Captain Gicquaii, of tbe Freiicb 
ship Mayotte et Xossihe, wbo saw a white patch and break¬ 
ers. Position, lat. 38® 42' N., long. 29^ 43' 54" AY. 

Tbe rock has been diligently sought for without success, 
and it now seems clear that it cannot lie in the position 
assigned by M. Gradun. 

Gough rocks appear on the chart of M. Pochette, 1778. Goughlo^ks. 
They were seen by Captains Gough and Birch. Captain 
Beauford, of the brig Concord., says that he twice saw them 
when bound from Newfoundland to Lisbon; that one of 
them is about 12 and the other 3 feet above water, and that 
the 3 " lie nearlj^ in the longitude assigned them on the chart, 
but 5' more to the northward. Others report having seen 
them, but the positions do not agree well, the latitude being 
variously assigned from 40^ 16' to 40^ 38' N., and the longi¬ 
tude from 30^ 02 ' 45" to 33° AA^. The rocks may exist. 

The ship Chaucer., Capt. Eobt. Henderson, from the Man- ciiaucer bank, 
ritius to Glasgow, states that: 

On October 28th, 1850, at noon, we were in lat. 42® 41' 

N., long. 280 45'AAL, steering N\Y. by AV., (true,) with light 
variable winds from the eastward, and fine clear weather. 

Having previously observed that the water had changed 
color about 10 a. m., and since that there was a sensible rip¬ 
ple, at 2 p. m. I sounded and found hard bottom at 48 fath - 
oms. The distance run since noon was about 6 miles. 

“At 4 p. m., having steered the same course, in lat. 42o 
49' N., long. 290 4' AAL, sounded and found 50 fathoms, and 
at 6 p. m., having run about 6 miles, found 70 fathoms, 
rocky bottom. 

“ From observing the change of color and ripple at the 
surface of the water at 10 a. m., and having sailed from that 
time up to 6 p. m. nearly NW., the bank may probably ex¬ 
tend considerably to the SE. of the position where I took 
m 3 ^ first sounding at 2 p. m.” 

This appears quite circumstantial, but yet 1,210 fiithoms 
were found by the U. S. S. Dolphin at its SE. extremity. 

In M. Beilin's memoir of 1742, a danger is mentioned in Ampiimont 
lat. 420 30 / long. 24o 5'AY., seen in 1735 by M. Guichardi, 
commander of the ship Dauphin., of Nantes. It has two 


80 


DANGEES. 


points of rock separated, and 30 feet above water. This is 
nearly the position given for La Basse WAmplimont. 

These rocks, like the masts of a brig and nearly in the 
position assigned, were seen by Captain Mills, in the brig 
Tamer, in J829. 

Captain Thos. Alderson, of the 2Iorning Star, from Paim- 
bceuf for Quebec, in May, 1842, passed a rock within 2 ship’s 
lengths. It appeared like a sliij^’s anchor-buoy, and was 
covered with sea-weed. Another rock or part of the same 
was seen 8 or 10 feet from the one above water. At intervals 
it covered and uncovered. At the time of passing the rock 
the ship was in lat. 42^ 5P long. 24^ 15^ W. 

It was also seen by Captain Duff, of the LJsperance, from 
Valparaiso to Swansea, in November, 1846, and described as 
two pointed summits in the hollow of the sea. His position 
of it is lat. 420 long. 24o 30' W. 

There is no direct evidence to contradict this, and, there¬ 
fore, it must be left for future decision. In all the cases 
cited there was no attempt at verification. 

Such are the reported dangers in the vicinity of the 
Azores, and in presenting them to the notice of navigators 
we cannot better conclude tban with the words of Captain 
Vidal: 

“Before leaving this subject we would urge upon sea- 
officers, to whatever service or nation they may belong, the 
great benefit they will confer on society at large, and their 
own profession particularly, if, when they do fall in with 
dangers of the above description, they would make more 
sacrifice for their investigation. The non-verification of such 
dangers when fallen in with, by every means in the seaman’s 
power, appears to us a dereliction of duty, a great public 
wrong. 

“ To find a sunken rock in the ocean with such uncertain 
data as many reports of them afford, is a very difficult mat¬ 
ter j and the attempt to do so is attended with very great 
trouble and very great expense.” 


NOTE. 


81 


NOTE. 

A commuiiication dated Eayal, June 17, 1874, from Mr. 
S. W. Dabney, United States consul at the Azores, states 
that— 

The sole work that has been thus far undertaken is the 
breakwater of Ponta Delgada, at the island of San Miguel, 
and which, although yet far from finished at a cost of 
81,700,000, will be a fine work when completed. 

It already answers a good purpose in protecting the fieet 
of schooners and steamers that transport, during the winter 
months, the large quantities of oranges produced on the 
island to various markets, but has not yet been carried far 
enough to make it quite safe to ride inside, with all winds. 
It was commenced 12 years since and is solidly built on the 
“ pierres perdues” system. No light house of any description 
exists on any of these islands, a want that would be very 
much felt, were these islands not so small that vessels, 
caught suddenly under the bold cliffs, escape on one side or 
the other. 

A breakwater at this island has been in contemplation 
for many years, and is now so far advanced that a prelimi¬ 
nary proposal for inaugurating a company to build it, has 
been laid before the Portuguese government. 

No physical changes affecting the harbors have taken 
place; and, indeed, with the exception of a submarine erup¬ 
tion that occurred off the island of Terceira, the effects of 
which soon disappeared, there have been no disturbing 
phenomena for a long period of years. 

The commerce of these islands remains very much as it 
was in former years, with the exception of wine as an export, 
which, owing to the ravages of the oidium^ has been sus¬ 
pended for nearly twenty years. 

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ALPHABETICAL INDEX, 


point. G2 

African current. 11 

Agoa point. 58 

Agoa do Pao.52,58,59 

peak.38,51,52,58 

Agoa Eetorta. 61 

Agudo peak. 26,30 

Ajuda. 64 

point. 62,68 

Alagoa bay. 58 

point. 31,58 

Albernas point. 19 

Albufeira. 61 

point. 61 

Alderson, Master. 80 

Alvaro Kodriguez islet. 15 

Amplimont rocks. 80 

Angra.25, 31,32 

anchorages. 27 

bay. 26,27 

directions. 27 

roads. 26 

signals .. 27 

tides... 28 

Aquilhino peak. 23 

Areal basin. 56 

Arcos point. 40,41 

Area fort. 60 

point. 59,60 

Areyal point. 56 

Arrife point. 39, 40 

Azores. 7 

climate. 8 

currents. 11 

history. 7 

natural history. 8 

navigation. 11 

phenomena. 9 

physical aspect. 7 


Pago. 

Azores, population. 12 

resources. 9 

tides. 11 

winds. 10 

B. 

Bartolomeo peak. 52 

Baxia port. 42 

Baxio point. 18,19 

Grande point. 41,43 

Peqiieno point. 41 

Raza islet. 19 

Baxios point. 29 

Baxo channel.21 

islet.21,22,23 

shoal. 21 

Beacon or Facho hill. 69,73 

Beauford, Master. 79 

Birch, Captain. 79 

Biscoito point. 39 

Biscoitos point. 42 

Blanca or Oeste point. 13 

Boa Vista. 49 

church. 16 

Bom Jesus fort. 47 

Bottle or Sugarloaf rock. 15 

Branca point. 24 

Brazil mountain.27,28,29,32,35 

Bredos point. 18 

Bretauha. 64 

point. 64,67 

C. 

Cabassos port. 58 

Cabeiro point. 16 

Cabeza das Casas peak. 38,41 

de Granga peak. 39,40 

Grande peak. 38 

Cabezo Brabo peak. 38 

Cabo da Praya. 30 
















































































84 


INDEX. 



Page. 



Page. 

Caboco peak. 

....14,18, 49 

Castello point. 


49, 50 

Cabras channel. 

. 28 

Cavernas point. 


50 

islets. 

. 28,29 

Caxorro port. 


41 

peak. 

. 38 

Cedres point. 


70,74 

Cabrestante point. 

. 72 

Cedros. 


49 

Cabrita point. 

. 41,42 

l^oint. 

_48, 49, 50 

Caes de Merato point. 

. 41 

Chagas fort. 


30 

do Pico inlet. 

. 42 

Channel, Corvo and Flores .. 


14 

Caetano port. 

. 58 

Fayal. 

.40,41 

,43, 44 

Caffauhote peak. 

_ 52 

Graciosa, Terceira, 

and 


Caldeira, Corvo_-. 

. 12,20 

S. Jorge. 


34 

Graciosa ... 

. 20,22,24 

Graciosa and Terceira.. 

21 

Fayal.. 

. 44,46 

S. Jorge, Pico, and Fayal 

34 

Central, Terceira .. 

. 26 

Praya islet. 


22 

point. 

. 45 

San Miguel and Terceira 

65 

de Sta. Barbara ... 

. 26,32,38, 39 

Graciosa and S. Jorge.. 

21 

do Inferno. 

. 45 

Chapman rock. 

....43, 44,48 

Caldeiras, springs. 

_ 52 

directions. 


43 

Calhas Gordo inlet. 

_ 39 

Chaucer bank. 


79 

Calheta. 

_ 36,64 

ship. 


79 

. inlet. 

_ 64 

Comprida point. 


49 

point. 

_ 39,64 

Congro lake. 


52 

Calpeta inlet. 

_ 58 

Concord, brig.. 


79 

Camarinhas hill. 


Contiendas peak. 


28,29 

Canas. 

42 

point. 


28,29 


bay. 42 

Candelaria. 41, 55 

Cautariubas anchorage. 18 

bay. 18 

islet. 18 

point. 18 

Cantario bay. 19 

Capellas. 64 

bill. 64 

Capellinba rocks. 49 

Capitao point.16,17,29 

Carapacbo point. 21,22 

Carmelite convent. 47,48 

Carneirobill. 47 

Carneiros channel... 31 

islet. 30,31 

point. 31 

Carneyros port. 58 

Casa point. I 3 

Casino peak. 14,16 

Castellito point. 42 

Castello fort. 59,60 

point.39,40, 69, 74 

Branco. 50 


Corvo.7,11,12,20 

soundings. 

Costa point. 

Cruz peak. 

Custom-bonse shoal. 


14 

64 

29 

56 


I>. 


Dabney, United States consul.... 81 

Dolphin, ship. 79 

Delgada. 15 

light. 55,58 

point.15,19,55,56,57, 81 

signals. 57 

Dollabarat shoal. 76,77 

Dolphin, United States steamer.. 79 

Dnlf, Master. go 

E. 

Entre Montes peninsula. 46 

Equator, brig. 77 

Escolar rock. 17,20 

Espalamauca point.43,44,47,48 

signal-station. 47 

Espartal point. 31 



























































































INDEX. 85 


Pago. 

Espartel point. 41 

Esperance, ship. 80 

Esperanza. 24 

peak. 33,34 

Este point. 21,22 

F. 

Faclio or Beacon bill. C9,73 

Fajem Grande. 18 

Fajimzinba. 18,19 

Falcao, V., Master. 07 

Fauaes point. 19 

Fauais point.22,23,04 

dos Roys Magos. 02 

Faves bill. 30 

Fayal. 01,81 

channel.40, 41, 43, 44 

island. 7,49 

peak. 12 

point. 01 

resources. 45 

soundings. 50 

Feiteiras. 50 

Ferraria point.55,05,07 

Ferreira or Jos6 Ferrer point.... 23 

Ferro peak.. 52 

Feteira. 28 

point. 28,70 

Feteiras. 55 

Flamengos river. 47 

Fleurieu chart. 78,79 

Flores.7,11,14,17,20 

resources. 14 

soundings. 19 

tides. 20 

Fogo lake. 52 

peak. 44,52 

point. 24 

do Porto point. 24 

Fojospeak. 33 

Fonte peak . 44 

Forca point. 59 

Formigas bank. 7,75 

rocks.75,70,77,78 

Formosa point. 02-03 

port. C2 

Forno bill. 20 

Forte islet. 24 

point. 50 


Page. 

Frades islets. 28,29 

peak. 48 

point. 24,72 

shoal. 29 

Francisco peak. 14 

Furada point. 34,35 

Fiirado point... 72 

Furnas. 52 

lake. 52 

mountain. 52, 01 

G. 

Gadella islet. 19 

Galera point.58,00,07 

Garga point. 00 

Gard, ship. 11 

Gaspar peak. 52 

Gaviota point. 50 

Gicquau, Master. 79 

Gomez anchorage. 24 

hay. 24 

point. 24 

Gonzalvo point. 34, 35 * 

Gough, Master. 79 

rocks. 79 

Graciosa.7,11,20 

resources. 21 

soundings. 23,25 

Graduu, Master. 79 

Greta castle. 40 

point . 40 

Griesta peak. 02 

Guarda point. 50 

Guia cape. 43,45 

chapel. 43,48 

mountain.43, 44, 45, 40 

Guichardi, Master. 79 

Gulf stream. 11 

II. 

Harmony, ship. 79 

Henderson, Master. 79 

Hormigon rock. 75 

Horta. 47 

anchorage. 47 

bay.45,40,43 

directions... 48 

soundings... 47 

































































































8G 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Horta tides. 48 

Hunt, British consul. 50 

I. 

Ignes jioint. 62 

Ilha point. 39 

Ilheos anchorage. 18 

point. 17,18 

de Agua Caliente point... 17 

Inferno point. 45,46 

J. 

Jesuit college. 47,48 

Joao Bom point. 64 

Joao Dias point. 44,48 

Joao Martin peak. 18 

Jorge point. 49 

Jos6 Ferrer or Ferreira point.... 23 

Judea... 28 

port. 28 

K. 

Kerhallet, Captain. 60 

Kirchen, Author. 9 

Kutusofifbauk. 78 

ship. 78 

I.. 

La Conceifiio church. 47 

La Matriz church. 47 

Lagens. 16,40 

anchorage. 17 

hay. 40 

church. 17 

point. 16-17 

Lagi do point. 42 

Lagoa fort. 47 

Lagoinhas channel. 71 

islet. 71 

point. 71-72 

shoal. 71 

Lanza peak. 38 

Laranjeira shoal. 18,20 

Leutier pilot. 65 

Light.55,58,81 

Livingston, Captain. 78 

Loheira point. 60,61 

Lomha point. 16 

daPraya range. 25,30 

Yaca mountain... 14,16 

Lomhinha rocks. 64 


Page 

Lope Yaz point. 17 

Luz. 24 

fort. 30 

Mafifa peak. 65 

Magdalena rocks.41,43,44 

port. 41 

Malbusco point. 73,74 

Maldebarca rock. 72 

Malha. 69 

rock. 70 

point.69,70, 74 

Malmerendo point.29, 30, 31, 73, 74 

Manadas point. 36, 37 

Marie de Sibourre, ship. 76 

Marvao point. 73 

Matos point. 71,75 

Maya. 63,69 

reef. 62 

rock.. 68 

point.62, 63,68 

Mayotte et Nossib6, ship. 79 

Mina peak. 28 

point. 29 

Misterio point..*. 42 

Moira or Nordeste point. 13 

shoal. 13 

Monchique island. 19 

Montagnac, French consul. 65 

Monte hill. 41,43 

Mouteiro peak. 52 

point. 36, 37 

Morning Star, ship. 80 

Morro point. 37 

do Lemo hill. 35 

Grande mountain. 15,18, 35,36, 62, 

63 

point.36,37,63 

Mosso hill. 47 

Mosteiros. 65 

islets. 65 

point. 64, 65 

Mysterio point. 31 

N. 

Nazarete. G2 

port. 62 

Negra point...22,23,39,49 
























































































INDEX. 87 


Page. 

Negiita point. 32 

Nigrao peak. 32 

Nordeste, or Moira point. 13 

Norte peak.26,30,44 

point. 13,35 

Grande x)oint. 34 

Pequeno point. 34 

Note. 81 

Nouvel, Captain. 11 

Na. Sa. da Gra^a. 62 

Mai cliajiel. 62 

de Conceifaio. 62 

Eosario. 62 

do Eos chapel. 62 

Nunez peak. 52 

O. 

Oeste point.12,13,45, 46 

P. 

Papagayo x^oint. 70 

Parede x^oint. 49 

Passopeak. 52 

Patalogos peak. 33 

P€ do Monte point. 41 

Pedra peak .. 52 

Pedreira point...*. 73 

Pedro Botelho mountain.' 20,24 

Pendurados point. 72 

Penedo das Armas point. 74 

Penedos de San Pedro rocks. 62 

Perkins, Master. 67 

Pescadorrock. 74 

Pesqueiro point. 12,14 

Pico.7,21,37,45 

mountain. 38,55 

resources. 38 

soundings. 39, 44 

tides. 43,44 

Alto mountain. 68,75 

Caboco mountain.14,18, 49 

Gastello mountain. 75 

Grande mountain. 44 

Negra point. 24 

Vara mountain. 75 

Piedade. 42 

Piedras peak. 25,28 

Pirn bay. 46,50 

castle. 46 

X)ort. 46 


Page. 

Pinto x^eak. 32 

Pi pas x^ort. 28 

Plymouth, shix). 67 

Pombas x)eak. 60 

Pouta Delgada.54,56,63 

anchorages. 57 

bay.55,56,58,67 

harbor light.55,58,81 

Ponte Oeste da Guia x^oint. 45,46 

Poutinha point. 37 

Porto fort. 29 

Porto Novo inlet. 29 

Prainha. 42 

Pratt, Benjamin, Master. 67 

Praya.20,21,22,23,25,30,48 

anchorage. 22 

bay.22,29,73,74 

channel. 22 

directions. 30 

islet. 22,23 

soundings. 30 

tides. 23,30 

do Norte. 49 

bay. 49 

Xmiut. 49,50 

Provoyao valley. 52 

Pyramida point. 59 

u* 

Queimada hill.46,47,50 

islets. 46 

point.36, 42,46 

rock. 46 

Queimado hill. .. 42 

K. 

Eabo do Peixe. 64 

hill. 64 

point. 63,64 

shoal. 64 

Eelva. 55 

X^oint. 55 

Eetorta point. 61 

Eibeira poin t.62,67,72 

do Cabo. 49 

Grande. 52,64 

anchorage. 63 

bay. 63,67 

river.18,61,63 

• Quente x^oiut. ^>1 
































































































88 


INDEX. 


Kibeiras bay-. 

Page. 

. 39 

point. 

. 32,39 

Kibeirinlia. 

. 49,63 

point. 

....42,43,47,48,03 

Eisco fort. 

. 72 

Eocba Alta point. 

. 17 

rock. 

. 42 

Roineiros point. 

. 70 

Rosales islets. 

. 35 

point. 

.33,35,37 

Rosalina rock. 

. 35 

Rosario. 

. 12 

anchorage . 

. 12,13 

church. 

. 12 

directions. 

. 12 

Rosto do Cao noint.... 

. 58 

Rua Longa point. 

. 31,32 

Ruiva. 

.. 35 

point. 

.. 15,35 


S. 


Sabrina island.9, 55, 05,67 

sloop of war. GO 

Salado peak. 38 

Salao point. 49 

Saint Peter’s cliurcli. 19 

San Amaro bill. 47 

Antonio. 04 

cbapel. 63 

fort. 20,30 

point.27, 42, 04 

Bento. 32 

Braz citadel. 56 

Gaetano fort. 30 

Francisco convent. 47 

Jofio. 40 

fort. 20,30 

point. 40 

Jorge.7,21,33, 40,02 

point. 29 

soundings. 37 

Jos^ fort. 30 

Lourenzo. 70,71 

anchorage. 73 

bay. 09,70,74 

island. 70,71 

point. 70,71 


San Matheo point. 

Page. 

. 32 

Mattheus. 

. 40 

point. 

.. 40 

port. 

. 41 

Miguel. 

...7,9,50,75,78 

climate. 

.. 54 

currents. 

-.... 55 

mountains__ 

. 51,52 

resources. 

. 53 

soundings. 

. 07 

tides. 


waters. 

. 52,53 

winds. 

. 54 

Paulo mountain. 

. 39 

Pedro . 

....28,31,62, 64 

^ay. 

.. 19 

point. 

.28,56,57, 58, 62 

shoal. 

. 57 

Ro(][ue. 

.. 42 

Sebastian. 

. 29 

fort. 

. 26,28 

Santa Barbara. 

. 39 

Beatrice. 

. 31 

^ay. 

. 31 

Catarina point. 

.. 40 

Catharina fort. 

. 29 

point... 

.23,29,30 

Clara church.. 

. 56 

fort.. 

. 55 

Cruz...... 

..14,15,21,23,24 

anchorage _ 

. 16,23 

castle. 

.15,46,47 

X)eak. 

. 14,16 

point.. 


soundings_ 

. 16 

Luzia. 

. 42 

fort. 

. 73 

Madre convent_ 


Maria.7,50, 68,73, 75,77,78 

anchorage... 

. 68 

soundings.... 

. 74 

Espirito fort. 

. 29 

Sargulho peak. 

. 52 

Sauvaire, French consul. 

. 65 

Se peak. 

.. 14 

Serra Gorda peak. 

.38,51,52 

Serreta. 

. 32 

caution. 

. 32 

rocks. 

. 3 


































































































INDEX, 


89 


Page. 

Serreta peak. 26,32 

point. 9,32 

Serro de Facho mountain. 20,23 

Sete Cidades valley. 51 

Sibado peak. 38 

Souza point. 71 

rocks. 71 

Stone bill. 47 

Styx, H. B. M. S. 67 

Sul point. 21,24 

rock. 74 

Sugarloaf aucboiage. 13 

peak. 13,14 

or Bottle rock. 16 

Swaroft', ship. 78 

Swift, brig. * . 66 

T. 


Tamer, brig. 80 

Tamuscal point. 72 

Terceira.9,11,21,25,81 


soundings. 33 

Terra Alta point. 42 


Tofiuo.34, 62, 64,65,70,71,73,75 


rock. 58 

Tppo channel. 34 

islet. 34 

peak. 38, 39 

port. 37 

point. 33,34 

village. 37 

Torrais j)oint. 13 

Trees bill. 47 

Tres Amigos, ship. 67 

Trigo peak. 33 

Triuidade peak. 63 

7 A 


Page. 

TuUocb, Captain. 77,78 

rocks. 77,78 


Ursula. 33 

V. 

Val point. 26,28 

Vanderberg, mercbant. 7 

Vara peak. 52,62 

Varador point. 49 

Vellas. 36 

anchorage. 36 

bay. 35,36 

soundings. 36 

tides. 36 

Verde peak. 25,28 

Vermelha point.23,24,25, 42 

Verm el bo bill. 24, 64 

Vianna i)eak. 31 

Vidal, Capt. R. N.58, 60, 62, 65,67, 68,78, 80 

Villa island.....72,73,74 

Villa do Porto. 69,73 

anchorage. 73 

bay. 73 

soundings. 73 

tides. 73 

Villa Franca. . 52,59 

anchorage. 60 

island. 59 

roads. 59, 60 

Villa Nova. 30,31 

rock. 31 

W. 

William of Bangor, ship. 67 


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